The Bowen Island Podcast

Election 2026 Seven candidates. Five positions. One conversation about our kids and the future of public education.As part of our 2026 local election coverage, we brought together all seven candidates seeking election as School Trustees representing West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Lions Bay.In order of introduction, you’ll hear from incumbents Sheelah Donahue and Felicia Zhu, followed by John O’Flynn, Richard Loat, John Calimente, Roman Nurpeissov and Karen Straith.We cover a lot of ground: why they’re running, what they’re hearing from students and families, what our schools could be doing better, how we balance priorities with limited resources, and what we should be preparing today’s kids for in a rapidly changing world.Don’t have an hour to listen?The conversation falls naturally into three parts: The first 15 minutes — Meet the candidates.Each candidate introduces themselves, talks about their background and explains why they’re running.The middle 30–35 minutes — The conversation.Questions and discussion about students, schools, priorities, budgets, resources and the challenges facing public education.The final 10 minutes — Closing thoughts.Each candidate gets a final opportunity to tell voters what they think is important and why they want to serve.So, you can listen to the whole roundtable, or choose the section that interests you most. This is a chance to hear all seven candidates together, in their own words, and learn a little more about them.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

What do 27 years around Bowen’s Council table teach you about what local government can — and can’t — accomplish?Alison Morse has lived on Bowen for about 30 years and has served on every municipal Council since incorporation. Now she’s asking voters to return her to Council and elect her to the Islands Trust.In this conversation, Alison reflects on what all those years have taught her: the importance of listening, explaining difficult decisions, fiscal responsibility — and the tendency of councils to put more into their strategic plans than a small municipality can realistically get done.We talk about housing and Bowen’s need for more choices for young people, workers and seniors — and the reality that accommodating them may mean accepting a little more density in some parts of the island.We also get into the new Official Community Plan and Monday’s Council discussion, including the proposed changes to the Land Use Map and the unusual process of asking Council to approve changes before they’ve been incorporated into a complete second draft.And Alison explains why she wants to return to the Islands Trust, where she believes her accounting, budgeting and long experience with Bowen government could be useful at a time when the Trust itself is wrestling with costs and governance.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

What does Bowen need to finish before it takes on more — and what kind of island are we trying to protect for the future?In this wide-ranging Election 2026 conversation, incumbent Councillor and Islands Trust Trustee Judith Gedye talks about the realities of governing a small island community: municipal spending and the budget, unfinished work from the current term, and the challenge of deciding what the community can realistically afford. We talk about the Official Community Plan and why completing it matters, development and housing, infrastructure, community engagement, and what Judi has learned during four years around the Council table.We also spend some time on the Islands Trust. Judi explains what the Trust actually does, why she remains passionate about its preserve-and-protect mandate, what Bowen receives from being part of it, and why she believes the organization is worth defending even as questions are being asked about its costs, governance and future.And underneath it all is Judi's long relationship with Bowen — almost 46 years of living here, watching the island change, participating in community life and thinking about what should change and what is worth holding onto.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Caroline Parker has called Bowen Island home for 17 years and has been an active participant in community life throughout much of that time. With a background in law and education, Caroline brings both professional experience and a long familiarity with Bowen to her decision to run for Council.In this conversation, we talk about many of the issues facing the island: housing and affordability, water and infrastructure, development and the OCP, the environment, emergency preparedness, governance, and how a small municipality decides what it can realistically afford and accomplish.But Caroline also brings the conversation back to community. She speaks warmly about the tradespeople, volunteers and others who quietly get things done on Bowen, and makes a point of acknowledging the work and service of the current Council.It's a conversation about the challenges ahead, but also about appreciating the people who have helped build and sustain the community we already have.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Seventeen years after first coming to Bowen Island, Constance Barnes is asking Islanders to elect her to Municipal Council.In this conversation, Constance talks about what initially brought her to Bowen, her work with the Orchard Treatment Centre, and the experience she gained as an elected Vancouver Park Board commissioner and Chair.She reflects on community, public service and leadership—and also raises concerns about Bowen’s emergency planning and whether the island is adequately prepared for a serious emergency.Constance also speaks warmly about the profound influence of her father, Emery Barnes: a social worker, longtime B.C. MLA and passionate advocate for human rights and people living in poverty, who became the first Black Speaker of a legislature in Canada.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

In this episode of the Bowen Island Podcast, I sit down with Tim Hausch.We talk about whar he loves about Bowen and what has drawn him into local politics, the issues he believes the island needs to confront, and how he thinks about growth, affordability, the environment, governance and Bowen's future.There are no gotcha moments here. This is an opportunity to spend a little time with the people asking to represent us — to hear who they are, what matters to them and how they think.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Patrick Reakes joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about Bowen Island, why he’s running, and some of the challenges he believes the next Council will need to confront.At the top of his list is Bowen’s financial position and his concern about the municipal budget deficit, rising costs and whether the way we’re doing things is sustainable.We also talk about water, infrastructure, wildfire preparedness, emergency response and another kind of sustainability: burnout. It’s a conversation about affordability, resilience and capacity — and Patrick’s thoughts about what Bowen needs to pay attention to as it plans for the next four yearsThe Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

In this episode, Keith Davidson talks about his love for Bowen Island, his long-standing commitment to community service, and why he’s decided to put his name forward in this election.We talk about the challenges facing Bowen, how a small municipality decides what it can realistically afford and deliver, and the importance of making thoughtful decisions about the island’s future.Keith also reflects on technology and how local government can keep pace with a changing world, while still protecting the character and sense of community that make Bowen special.At its heart, this is a conversation about community service — what Keith believes he can contribute, and why, at this point in his life, he wants to give something back to an island he clearly loves.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

This episode is with Alex Jurgensen. We talk about his first term on council, why he's running again, and what he believes Bowen needs to focus on over the next four years.Our conversation ranges from housing, land use and the OCP to affordability, accessibility, transparency and inclusion, the environment, Islands Trust and the challenges of making decisions in a small community where people don't always agree.It's also a chance to get beyond the campaign material and hear more about Alex himself — what shaped him, what he's learned from public service, and what he hopes to contribute if Bowen Islanders give him another term.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Four years ago, Andrew Leonard was elected Mayor of Bowen Island. Now, as another municipal election approaches, we sat down to talk about what those four years have taught him — about Bowen, about local government, and about being mayor.It has been a consequential term. Bowen has wrestled with a campground proposal, housing and affordability, ferry congestion, aging infrastructure, water supply, environmental protection and reconciliation, while undertaking a major update of the Official Community Plan that will help shape how — and where — the island grows.We talk about what Andrew is proud of, what he might do differently, and what remains unfinished. We also explore some of the harder questions facing the next Council: How much can Bowen realistically take on? How do we balance what people want with what we can afford and deliver? What should our relationship with the Islands Trust look like? What should guide our decisions about growth when questions about water and infrastructure remain? What does reconciliation require of a small municipality? And how do seven independently elected people work together when they don't always agree?This is a conversation about the choices Bowen Island will be making over the next four years — and the kind of community we want to become.Note: This episode is transcribed using Musixmatch, an AI platform with some limited editing capability.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Sue Ellen Fast has called Bowen Island home since 1992 and has served on Municipal Council and as an Islands Trust trustee since 2014.In this conversation, we talk about her years in public service, what she believes she has learned along the way, the challenges facing Bowen, and why she is asking voters for another four years.We also talk about the environment, growth, the Islands Trust, reconciliation, and what good local governance looks like when people don’t always agree.This is part of the Bowen Island Podcast’s 2026 Conversations with the Candidates series.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Bowen’s Future: Understanding the Draft Official Community PlanIf you’ve ever wondered whether your children will be able to live on Bowen, worried about water shortages, wildfire risk, ferry traffic, housing diversity, environmental protection, or simply what kind of island future generations will inherit… then you already have a stake in this conversation.In this episode of The Bowen Island Podcast, we talk with  Mayor Andrew Leonard, Daniel Martin (Manager of Planning and Development), and James Crandles (OCP Steering Committee co-chair) to unpack Bowen Island’s proposed Official Community Plan and the current phase of public engagement.Together they explore:• What an OCP is — and what it isn’t• Why Bowen’s OCP is being updated now• The guiding frameworks shaping the draft• Housing diversity, infrastructure • Biodiversity, stewardship and climate resilience• Transportation, community vitality and circular economy principles• Land use maps, conservation areas and development permit areas• How residents can participate meaningfully during this phase of engagementThis conversation is about helping all of us understand the choices, trade-offs and opportunities reflected in the draft — and to encourage your input. You can learn more at bowenislandmunicipality.caThanks to everyone involvedCouncil Liaisons: Alex Jurgensen and Alison MorseBIM Staff: Sarah Baxter, Stef Shortt, Daniel Martin, Xerxes Au   Community members:  Co-Chairs: James Crandles, David McCullum  Steering Committee Frits de Vries, Kiersten Enemark, Adam Lougheed, Melanie Mason, Betty Morton, Channa Pelpola, Glen Shkurhan    The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Just over a year ago, we elected a new municipal council and in this podcast, Mayor Leonard talks about the challenges and opportunities on Bowen Island. Our conversation covers a range of topics including the challenges faced by the municipality, such as housing infrastructure, and grant funding. We also discuss Bowen Island's short-term rental policy and the possibility of establishing a tourism tax. The conversation highlights the need for public engagement and the importance of addressing these issues for the community's well-being. Leonard emphasizes the need for conversations about managing tourism and mitigating climate change. He also mentions the municipality's efforts to promote arts and culture and encourages residents to participate in the budget process and the development of a new official community planThe Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Holly Graff and Richard Smith join us in this episode to talk about the work of the Bowen Island Community Foundation and some of the things that got us here, some great ideas from our neighbors that benefit everyone on the island, and that it's time again for Vital Conversations.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Peter Frinton has lived on Bowen with his partner Carol since 1972. He became active politically in the early 90s as a GVRD alternate and then as chair of the APC. He served on Bowen Council for 4 terms and was also an Islands Trust trustee, Metro Vancouver Director, the Mayors' Council delegate to Translink, and he served on the Treaty Advisory Commission. In this episode, he shares some stories with us about life on Bowen, his observations over the years, and how our five levels of government work.This is part two of our conversation about life and politics on a small island.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Peter Frinton has lived on Bowen with his partner Carol since 1972. He became active politically in the early 90s as a GVRD alternate and then as chair of the APC. He served on Bowen Council for 4 terms and was also an Islands Trust trustee, Metro Vancouver Director, the Mayors' Council delegate to Translink, and he served on the Treaty Advisory Commission. In this episode, he shares some stories with us about life on Bowen, his observations over the years, and how our five levels of government work.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

This is a conversation with Bob Turner. A former Mayor on Bowen Island, conservationist, and filmmaker. I reached out to Bob to help provide context to the many issues we face on this small island, and to understand the politics of environmentalism.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Mayoral Candidate Andrew Leonard shares his vision for Bowen Island in the 2022 Municipal Election. The picture was updated when it was announced that he had won.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Judi Gedye joins us to talk about life on Bowen Island and why she wants to run for municipal council and the Islands Trust.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

I was delighted to catch up with Alison Morse to talk about her vision for Bowen Island and what being on the municipal council has been like over the years.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Sue Ellen Fast talks about her love of nature, her vision for Bowen Island and a little about the Islands TrustThe Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

We caught up with John Saunders to talk about hockey, how he discovered Bowen Island and why he wants to be a municipal councilor.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Tim Wake is running for council and talks about the issues and his vision for Bowen IslandThe Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening

Alex Jurgensen is running for Bowen Island Council and in this episode, he talks about those things that are important to him.The Bowen Island Podcast is produced in a small cabin in the woods on Bowen Island, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw — the Squamish Nation — with gratitude for their stewardship of these lands and waters over countless generations.If you’d like to explore more of my work on conversation, community and polarization, you can find me on other broadcast/podcast platforms, including The Conversation Lab, Everything Podcasts.com, Central City Foundations Hope Dialogue, or on Substack. Thanks for listening