PODCAST · society
The Modern Rustic
by Russell Reitsema
A community based podcast recorded in the heart of the Fraser Valley, where your host Russell Reitsema invites guests to join him for lively conversations to promote, discuss, argue, laugh, and learn while exchanging new ideas through classic conversation. Where we delve into the passions, pursuits, and professions of people of all walks of life. Where we celebrate our community and discuss the changing world and the impact we have on it.
Episodes
-
#83 Aaron Dawson: Abbotsford Film Society
This week we sit down with Aaron Dawson, the founder of the Abbotsford Film Society and movie savant. We discuss what's happening with the Society, as well as the current state of the industry and some of our favorites. Find out more on Instagram @abbotsfordfilmsociety This episode was recorded…
more -
#82 Miranda Tipton: A Novel Discussion
This week we are joined by Miranda, a local book enthusiast and avid reader. We discuss her life journey and how she got to now, then we dive into our favorite books and our mutual love of reading. You can follow her on Instagram @miranda.the.book.lady This episode was recorded on March 11th 2025
-
#81 Claire Rozek: Croissant Conversation
This week we sit down with Claire, a local art enthusiast, t-shirt maker, model, and so much more. You can find her on instagram @clairerozek This episode was recorded on February 20th 2025
-
#80 Ania Bula: The Dish on Fish
This week we sit down with Ania Bula, a researcher at UFV on fish DNA and culturing. We discuss her research as well as other topics like autism, activism, and Neo-Nicotinoids in our waterways. Her book "Young, Sick, and Invisible: A Skeptic's Journey with Chronic Illness" is available on Amazon....
-
#79 Shivalika: Sharing Stories
This week we are joined by Shivalika, a poet, writer and mental health advocate. We discuss her life story navigating physical and mental health challenges as well as the medical system and her writing journey in hopes that these lived experiences can help others. You can find out more on…
more -
#78 Taylor Hinton: Move the Big Rocks
This week we sit down with Taylor Hinton from @hintonation_coaching where he helps millennials create a systematic approach to weight loss while eating dessert every night. This episode was recorded on October 30th 2024
-
#77 Ryan Critchley: Soccer Talk
This week we sit down with local coach and technical director of Tzeachten FC, Ryan Critchley. We briefly discuss his work with weeds then segue to soccer. He explains the club, its origins and ideals, as well as the coaching models and techniques that works for the club. He then discusses his...
-
#76 Jillian Clary: Style and Grace
This week we sit down with local stylist and artist Jillian to discuss her life and share some wild stories. We dive into her life moving across western Canada, her trusty machete, her worst hair horror stories, and what drives her to passion everyday. This episode was recorded on September 25th...
-
#75 Kellyn Kavanagh: Back from the Grave
We start off season 3 with an appropriately scary episode to coincide with the Halloween season! In this episode we welcome back one of our favorite horror writers and local creative Kellyn to discuss issue 2 of "The Local Crypt" an online horror zine he edits alongside co-founder, creative...
-
#74 Onella Schubert: Well Rooted
This week we sit down with Onella Schubert, an agriculture advocate and health and wellness enthusiast. While enjoying some craft beer, we dived into a discussion on honeybees, heritage farming, and becoming a nutritionist in BC. We also talk about the loss of local farmland and the future of…
more -
#73 Dan Verbeek: Live & Learn
This week we sit down with Dan Verbeek to discuss a wide range of topics. We touch on AI and the fears surrounding instant gratification as well as community and skill loss. We then discuss media, social experiments and tech. We end the conversation with Dan's experience as a teacher and what he...
-
#72 Harlan Havig: Maker on a Mission
This week we sit down with Harlan Havig, a community minded individual who works with the Mission Farmers Market as well as operates the Mission Makers Group. We dive into Harlan's life experience after a stroke, as well as his faith journey as a Jehovah's Witness. We discuss community…
more -
#71 Connie Hackett: A love for Local
This week we sit down with Connie Hackett, an advocate for local tourism and a social media influencer. We have an incredible conversation regarding Abbotsford and its history, arts, culture, and tourism. Connie shares her passion for local community as well as some wild experiences spanning from...
-
#70 Hala Oweis & Kayla Brouwer: The Definition of Friendship
This week we sit down with Hala and Kayla, two friends with some very interesting stories. We dive into Hala's origins in Dubai and how she plans to make a name for herself, as well as Kayla's greatest achievements and some snacky anecdotes. We focus on social media, behavioral sciences, and the...
-
#69 Jerome Carretas: Movement is Life
This week we sit down with Jerome Carretas, a personal trainer at OPEX Fitness and Wellness in Abbotsford. We discuss fitness, training, and what healthy really means. We chat about jiujitsu, determination, discipline and professional Kizomba dancing. If you have any questions or comments you can...
-
#68 Daryl Rolleman: From Dentistry to Discipline
This week we sit down with Daryl Rolleman, a regular on the show and someone with unique perspectives on life. We dive into a lengthy discussion on dentistry, parenting and babies, and then Daryl opens up about his past and how it changed him for the better. We touch on the evolution of AI and...
-
#67 Tiani Foster: Sundry Stages
This week we sit down with Tiani Foster, a local actor and community enthusiast. We discuss her love of theatre and past experiences on stage, growing up with a huge family, recreational therapy, poetry, her work with Jesters Theatre, and Tiani's experience with Diabetes. For more information on...
-
#66 Rylo Kinn: I Write Therefore I Am
This week we sit down with popular local author and writer Rylo Kinn, famous for his dark fantasy novel "Drakonia: The Dragon's Flute" which is the first in an ongoing saga. We discuss his experiences and the impact writing has had on his life. We also dive into imposter syndrome, navigating…
more -
#65 Maja Hampson: Conservation & Inspiration
This week we sit down with Maja Hampson, a conservation biologist and local author, to discuss her journey as a biologist working to protect our endangered BC species as well as her experience as a writer, her process, and what drives her to create. If you have any questions or comments you can...
-
#64 Dereck Dirom: Shifting Gearbots
This week we sit down with teacher and entrepreneur Dereck Dirom, the creator of Makerspace and Gearbots in the Fraser Valley. Gearbots is a program designed for kids to embrace their inner innovator and promote applied and hands-on learning. You can find out more at gearbots.org or @gearbots on...
-
#63 Jade Lehti: Event Horizons
this week we sit down with Jade Lehti, a local entrepreneur and professional event coordinator who owns and operates Solar Plexed Productions and the Grand Hall in Chilliwack, a new community event space. We discuss her history in event coordinating, her journey getting the Grand Hall set up, and...
-
#62 L.T. James: Twisted Tales
This week we sit down with local author L.T. James to discuss writing, her process, how she wrote and published her own book of short stories, and what comes next. We also dive into a discussion on her various supernatural experiences and how they played a role in her writing. Twisted Tales from...
-
#61 Darien Johnsen: Zapta Zine
This week we sit down with Darien Johnsen, the creator of the popular local Zapta zine. We begin with a discussion on media, TV, and jumping the shark which slowly shifts into her podcast experience with "Stories of Resiliency" on CIVL Radio. We then dive into a discussion on Darien's work...
-
#60 Erick Rodriguez: Elementa Surprise
This week we sit down with entrepreneur, Marketing expert, and founder of Elementa Apparel, Erick Rodriguez. We discuss how the company took shape, the revolutionary use of Bamboo Silk in the product, and the manufacturing process. We also delve into Erick's appearance on Shark Tank Mexico and…
more -
#58 Ryan McClary: Music Matters
This week we sit down with Ryan McClary, the genius behind McClary's Rock 'N' Roll Apparel. We dive into how music brings us together, Ryan's background growing up in the Valley, and a few of our favorite conspiracies. We touch on the education system then delve into Ryan's background as a farm…
more -
#59 Eve Pohl: Hope For Korah
This week we sit down with Eve Pohl, the founder of Hope for Korah, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of vulnerable children and families living near the trash dump in Korah, Ethiopia. We discuss the beginnings of the organization and how it has grown...
-
#57 Kayla Brouwer: Doing Life Differently
This week we are joined by Kayla Brouwer as we discuss all manner of topics including cruises, Canada, and our extensive lack of sports knowledge. We then delve into Kayla's work as a community support worker and the lesser known struggles of those with disabilities. Everything from broken curbs…
more -
#56 Veda McDonald: A Dynamic Discourse
This week we sit down with Veda McDonald to discuss some hot topics in media lately and enjoy some delicious drinks from our local store Mr. Menchies. As we sip on Hatch Chile and Lime soda we dive into a conversation on MSG, pirates, kids on bikes, and Disney on ice. We then touch on twilight,...
-
#55 Kellyn Kavanaugh: Oh the Horror!
This week we sit down with Kellyn the creative mind behind The Local Crypt and team member at Common Room Music. We discuss a number of topics including vaporwave music, controversial horror films, the Dahmer series, and where our deep-seated fear of clowns stems from. Kellyn speaks at length…
more -
#54 Morse Code Literature: Banding Together
This week we sit down with the local band Morse Code Literature to discuss how they got their start and why they love what they do. We delve into a somewhat sketchy Craigslist ad, musical influences, AI Art, and more. We delve into what music means to the band, and how it feels to play live and...
-
#53 Jackie Atwell: Cuisine & Conservation
This week we sit down with cooking savant and water collection expert Jackie Atwell. We discuss birthday parties and bouncy castles then delve into a conversation on cooking and Jackie's culinary passion and history. We then touch on fasting and cooking fats then dive into the major issue around...
-
#52 Tim Keis: Empowering Your Future
This week we sit down with real estate expert Tim Keis to discuss all things local real estate and business. We start off by chatting about the potential for future transportation in the Fraser Valley, then dive into a discussion on the Agricultural Land Reserve and what we would like to see…
more -
#51 Titus Varga: Caffeinated Conversation
This week we sit down with Titus Varga, entrepreneur and owner of Aurora Café and Roastery. We discuss AI and self-driving cars then dive into the business of coffee and roasting. We listen as our guest relives his background growing up in communist Romania and how he eventually made it to Canada...
-
#50 Danielle Snider: Ursa Minor Masterpiece
This week we are joined by Danielle from Little Dipper Theatre Co. to discuss her life journey and to promote their upcoming production Wildlight. We begin with discussing the need and presence of theatre in the Fraser Valley, then delve into Danielle's journey through early theatre, to…
more -
#49 Lucas Mckinnon: A Perfect Fit
This week we sit down with Lucas Mckinnon, the owner and manager of Cameron James Menswear in Mission. We take a deep dive into the menswear and suit industry, discussing everything from fabrics and innovation to current styles and market fluctuations. We chat about Lucas's strengths and…
more -
#48 Greg Welfing: Bugging Out
This week we sit down with Insect expert Greg Welfing to have him dissect some of our biggest topics around bugs, regenerative agriculture, plants, fungi, and a whole lot more. We dive into a discussion on natural biological solutions to our current agricultural issues facing us today as well as...
-
#47 Desire Kokuvi Amouzou: Finding You in the Valley
This week we sit down with Desire, the mind behind @findyouinthevalley on Instagram. We discuss his journey through life to where he is now and his plans for the future. we discuss his time as a loss prevention officer, his various injuries throughout his career, citizens arrests, and finding…
more -
#46 Rebecca Senicar: An Udder Delight
This week we sit down with Rebecca Senicar, a dairy and beef farmer and ice cream connoisseur. We dive into some heavy discussion on ghosts, the unknown and monster kidneys. We then dig into Rebecca's passion for farming and her love of cows as well as touch on the dairy industry as a whole and…
more -
#45 Chadd Bauman: The Future is Fungal
This week we sit down with Chadd Bauman, the owner of Circular Harvest, a mycelium farm that is striving to reshape agriculture into a circular, wasteless system. We discuss the ways in which we can change the agricultural landscape through regenerative, sustainable approaches as well as diving...
-
#44 Adam Malm: Health & Habits
This week we are pleased to welcome trained kinesiologist and health expert Adam Malm to the studio. We break into some interesting topics around Febreeze and space travel but quickly dive into a discussion on exercise, gym life, and motivation. We discuss the importance of cultivating mental...
-
#43 Frankie Fowle: Creative Courage
This week we are joined by queer creative Frankie Fowle. We discuss her work with the Community Health and Safety Innovation Hub at University of the Fraser Valley and the knowledge mobilization team working with food security, Haida Gwaii missing indigenous children and the Fraser valley floods....
-
#42 Josh Goodman: Capturing Connection
This week we sit down with Josh Goodman, a professional photographer, musician, soccer enthusiast, and local creative. We discuss his deep passion that fuels him in his work as well as his journey through his ADHD diagnosis, finding his career, and investing in connection from a business aspect.…
more -
#41 Andrew Purdy: Porter Rapport
This week we sit down with Andrew Purdy, a hospital porter and member of the popular band "Kids Don't Float". We begin the conversation with a rousing discussion on metric vs. imperial measurements, then dive into a number of topics including mammoths, Mr. Beast, and seizures. We then delve into...
-
#40 Greg Hessels & Daryl Rolleman: Good Grief
This week is a special episode for us at The Modern Rustic. We sit down with Daryl Rolleman and Greg Hessels to have them share their stories and journeys on grief and how it has affected them and changed their perspectives. We discuss how tragedy changes you, ways to help the healing process…
more -
#39 Andrea Sadowski: Stepping to It
This week we sit down with Andrea Sadowski from the Fraser Valley Conservancy, to discuss their new initiative, the Step to It Program. This program was developed to help support nature based solutions to climate change and works to protect native species of plants and animals in our own…
more -
#38 Alex Rake: Composing Compulsion
This week we sit down with local artist, musician, playwright, author and poet Alex Rake. We discuss his Abbotsford Arty nomination, childhood trauma, and melted cheese among many other things. We dive into Alex's creative process and his unique perspective on inspiration, or as he puts it, his...
-
#37 Linden Vanderpol: Technical Difficulty
This week we are joined by Linden Vanderpol, a photographer, videographer, tech enthusiast, and co-owner of LINK Creative Photo & Video. We discuss Linden's career in videography, his journey with ADHD and where his drive comes from. We also dive into sci-fi film, gut biology and diet, animated...
-
#36 Braedon Grover Sunnes, Belle Hernberg-Johnson, Madison McArthur: Maine Stage Masterpiece
Braedon Grover Sunnes, Belle Hernberg-Johnson, and Madison McArthur join us this week to discuss the Bard in the Valley winter production "Almost, Maine". Madison, the director, walks us through the trials and tribulations of putting together Bard in the Valley's first winter show and Braedon and...
-
#35 Cereal Killers
This week its just the three of us in the studio ready to discuss some of our favorite topics from the past year. we delve into the debate around subsidized hygiene products, Daylight savings, our favorite cereals, Halloween timing, AI art, music festivals, and video game movies. We also have an…
more -
#34 Stefan Karding: Tree-sons Greetings
Our first episode of Season 2 of The Modern Rustic! We begin the holiday season with an in-depth discussion with Stefan Karding, a large scale Christmas tree Farmer. We dive into the Christmas tree industry, finding the perfect type of tree, and we ask what does a Christmas tree farmer do all…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A community based podcast recorded in the heart of the Fraser Valley, where your host Russell Reitsema invites guests to join him for lively conversations to promote, discuss, argue, laugh, and learn while exchanging new ideas through classic conversation. Where we delve into the passions, pursuits, and professions of people of all walks of life. Where we celebrate our community and discuss the changing world and the impact we have on it.
HOSTED BY
Russell Reitsema
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Modern Rustic have?
The Modern Rustic currently has 83 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Modern Rustic about?
A community based podcast recorded in the heart of the Fraser Valley, where your host Russell Reitsema invites guests to join him for lively conversations to promote, discuss, argue, laugh, and learn while exchanging new ideas through classic conversation. Where we delve into the passions,...
How often does The Modern Rustic release new episodes?
The Modern Rustic has 83 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Modern Rustic?
You can listen to The Modern Rustic on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Modern Rustic?
The Modern Rustic is created and hosted by Russell Reitsema.
URL copied to clipboard!