The Stories That Brought You Here
by thestoriesthatbroughtyouhere
One-on-one interviews with people from Pender Island, B.C. Discover the stories that brought them to this amazing little island and also the stories that brought them to the point they are at in their lives right now.
Episodes
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Episode 76 - Jo Beattie - The Crisp Festival, A Love for Teaching & The Importance of Faith
After finishing university in England, Jo thought she was headed to the South Pacific to teach kindergarten. However, an unexpected phone call, would lead her to make a very different choice. She wound up moving to Prince George, B.C., and her life would begin to unfold in many creative, and...
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Episode 75 - Monica Bennett - The Art Of Felting, Remembering Red Tree Gallery & The Impact Of Volunteering
Monica Bennett is a long-time resident, and an incredibly active and passionate community member on Pender Island. In this episode, she shares about her personal journey, philosophy on volunteering, and her involvement in various local organizations. Some of these help to enhance seniors'...
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Episode 74 - Barry Mathias - Creating Car Stops, Shakespeare Outdoors & The Beginnings Of Talisman Books
Barry and his wife, Clare moved from England to Canada while in their late forties. They first settled in Victoria, but found some challenges adjusting to aspects of this new change. After a few years, they relocated to Pender Island and soon launched the island’s first bookstore, Talisman Books…
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Episode 73 - Craig Fehr: Life In Rwanda, Volunteering Around The World & Creating Change Through Plumbing
While in their late-twenties, Craig and his wife, Ruthie, decided to make a big change in their lives. In 2008, they sold their home in Edmonton, packed their bags, and headed out for a year-long trip around the world. One of their major reasons behind this journey, was a desire to discover...
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Episode 72 - Bruce Alexander - Beyond Rat Park, Studying Addiction & Challenging Our Assumptions
Bruce Alexander is a psychologist and professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University. He actively taught at SFU from 1970 to 2005. In this interview, he will speak about many of the pivotal experiences he had during that time. One of which, occurred during the 70s, while he was volunteering at a...
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Episode 71 - Gregory Franklin - Photographing Bears Up-Close, The Carving Of A Healing Pole & Building Franklin Castle
Gregory Franklin has travelled the world photographing bears up-close in the wild. From pandas to grizzlies to polar bears, he has had many unique experiences while taking photographs of these amazing animals. He will explain his process and philosophy that allows him to be in incredibly close...
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Episode 70 - Marc Lesperance - Making Maple Syrup, Becoming A Radio DJ & The Importance Of Camaraderie
Marc grew up on a dairy farm in South Central Ontario. After finishing high school, he decided to join the Canadian military. For nine years, he had a variety of unique experiences while in the army. This included a transfer from Ontario to British Columbia. It was while living in Comox, he felt…
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Episode 69 - Paul Williamson - Life's Many Paths, Our Legal System & The Nisga'a Treaty
In this episode, Paul Williamson will reflect on the many careers he has had in his life. From a logger, newspaper reporter, teacher, lawyer and ultimately a Supreme Court Judge of British Columbia. He will discuss the reasons, and actions he took at various stages in his life, that made him…
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Episode 68 - Sarah Smith -The Joys Of Music, Facing Adversity & Becoming Light
Sarah Smith is a singer/songwriter, who has been performing almost all of her life. She will describe how she first got inspired to sing as a child in church. The musical journey she embarked on eventually led to a decade of playing with the proto-Punk band, The Joys. A busy and creative solo...
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Episode 67 - Misha Kleider - Moving Through Africa, The Unseen Life Of Art & Meditations On Romantic Love
Misha will share stories about his time working, and living, in various parts of Africa while in his twenties. From there, we enter into a dynamic conversation on the subjects of beauty, art, depression, Hawaii, romantic love...and so much more. Please enjoy this wide-ranging, and surprising...
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Three Questions at Mosaic Festival
This past August long weekend, the 2024 Mosaic Festival took place in the pine forest behind the Community Hall. An annual community arts and culture festival produced by Ptarmigan Arts, Mosaic Fest celebrates the diversity of the land we live on and the beings who inhabit it. It features music,...
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Episode 66 - Carolyn Cartwright-Owers - Heart Work, Sailing Away & Community Care
Carolyn made her way to the West Coast, from England, in the mid-eighties. At that time, she was beginning what would turn out to be a 35-year career in nursing. The journey would lead her to become the first community nurse on Mayne Island, and then, after moving to Pender Island, continuing…
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South Pender Pioneer Families - Volume 8 with Rachel Epstein
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Rachel Epstein was introduced to South Pender by her parents at an early age. It was during those…
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South Pender Pioneer Families - Volume 7 with Shelley Henshaw
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Shelley will speak about the Henshaw family history on South Pender Island and trace the family story...
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South Pender Pioneer Families - Volume 6 with Debbie Friesen recounting the Walker family story
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Debbie Friesen, the daughter of William Walker, will tell the story of how her grandfather and his...
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South Pender Pioneer Families - Volume 5 with Janet White, recounting the Jennens family story
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Janet, the daughter of Hope and Geoff Jennens, will speak about her family's time living on South...
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South Pender Pioneer Families Volume 4 with Frank Trice, recounting the Conery family story
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. In the 1970s, Frank came to live on South Pender Island with his uncle, Bill Wilson, who had recently...
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South Pender Pioneer Families Volume 3 with Lynne Marsh, recounting the Crane family story
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Lynne, the first grandchild of Dora and Arthur Crane, will speak about her family's experience living…
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South Pender Pioneer Families - Volume 2 with Kelly Irving and Ruth Wiren
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Kelly and Ruth, siblings and decedents of the original South Pender settler family, will speak about...
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South Pender Pioneer Families Volume 1 with Barb and John Pender
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and important history of South Pender Pioneer families and their connection to S,DÁYES (South Pender Island) and the surrounding Salish Sea. Barb and John, two descendants of the original Pender settler family, will speak in depth of their...
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 8 with PENÁĆ (David Underwood)
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). PENÁĆ, is a teacher of SENĆOŦEN language at the ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School. He will…
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 7 with Robert Clifford
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). Robert Clifford, is a member of the Tsawout First Nation and an Assistant Professor at the...
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 6 with Mavis Underwood
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). Mavis Underwood, a W̱SÁNEĆ elder, had been working to promote betterment in opportunities…
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 5 with Eric Pelkey
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). Eric Pelkey, the Hereditary Chief of Tsawout of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, will speak about his...
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 4 with Earl Claxton Jr.
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). Earl Claxton Jr., a W̱SÁNEĆ elder, will speak about how he became involved in the ȽÁU,...
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People with Volume 3 with J,SIṈTEN (John Elliott)
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). J,SIṈTEN, a W̱SÁNEĆ elder, shares stories about his decades of time spent working at the…
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W̱SÁNEĆ - The Saltwater People Volume 2 with ȻOSINIYE
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). ȻOSINIYE, a W̱SÁNEĆ elder, will speak about the SENĆOŦEN language, and how her father, the...
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W̱SÁNEĆ - the Saltwater People Volume 1 with SELILIYE (Belinda Claxton)
This series is dedicated to learning about the unique and rich history of the W̱SÁNEĆ Saltwater People and their traditional connection to their Salish Sea Homeland including S,DÁYES (South Pender Island). SELILIYE, a W̱SÁNEĆ elder, shares stories about her time as a young girl spent on S,DÁYES,...
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Episode 65 - Everest MacDonald - Bring In Creative Flow, Intuitive Design & The Fragrance Of Arbutus Leaves
Everest's passion for building began when she was five with the construction of a multi-level tree fort on Pender Island. Years later, she would build her own cabin on Savary Island. She has since had a fascinating career as a designer and sculptor of form with function for over two decades. In...
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Episode 64 - Luke Ramsey: Creating Collaboration, Embracing Trust & Living An Artistic Life
Luke moved to Vancouver Island from England at the age of nine. Having a deep interest in art at that young age, he would find encouragement from teachers along the way. As the years went on, he found inspiration for his art through Victoria's punk scene, hitching across Canada and international...
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Episode 63 - Chanda Bosch: The Long Path To Pregnancy, Fire Lookout Tower Life & Finding Her Music
Chanda was born in Peace River, Alberta and spent much of her childhood outdoors connecting with nature and animals. In adulthood, she found work as a fire lookout observer in northern Alberta. It was there, while living in quiet isolation, Chanda began to focus on music. Her confidence and…
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Episode 62 - Gregory Nicholls: A Love For Learning, The Royal Air Force & Making Big Changes
Gregory was born in Birmingham, England during the Second World War. While still quite young, the death of his mother, would create a set of circumstances for him that ultimately led to a very challenging childhood. When he entered his late-teens he joined The Royal Air Force and began a career…
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Episode 61 - Judith Walker: Seizing The Moment, The Artist’s Way & Living In Costa Rica
Judith grew up in post-war America in the state of Virginia. While in her twenties, she would have many interesting work experiences, which included teaching children with disabilities and pregnancy counselling. In her thirties, on a visit to Costa Rica to see her father, she became inspired to...
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Episode 60 - Curtis Redel: Being Of Service, Commercial Real Estate & Working In The Woods
While growing up in Alberta, Curtis had his first job experience at his Mom's health food store. As he entered his teens, he would begin working in the restaurant industry, and years of amazing experiences would follow. By his mid-twenties, he decided to shift gears and began selling commercial...
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Episode 59 - Sherry Anne Des Roches: Gather Around Music, Life Changing Moments & Finding Faith
In 2009, Sherry Anne has a chance meeting at a music festival with a man named, Mathew. They fell in love, moved to Pender, got married and had a child together. While living on the island, they became deeply involved in the music scene and would eventually open a restaurant, which provided a...
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Episode 58 - Deb Morrison: Love Of Nature, Learning Through Teaching & Responsibility To Place
While Deb was growing up in Gibsons, BC, she spent a significant amount of time exploring the outdoors. This helped her form a deep connection with the natural world, and later, would serve as an influence for her to study geography and resource management in university. A fascinating journey...
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Episode 57 - Jon Heaney: Helping People Fly, Growing Up Gay & Longevity Through Deceleration
In the late-sixties, Jon moved from his birthplace of Montreal to Calgary. It was there he began working in the airline industry and would become his career for more than three decades. The job led to many profound experiences for him, including meeting his partner of over forty years, John…
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Episode 56 - Mike Dine: The Musical Restaurateur, Lock, Stock and Barrel & Leading With Your Heart
While living in Ontario in his late-teens, Mike played guitar in a music duo. He and his musical partner were successful enough to both earn a living from it for six years. In his twenties, he shifted gears and opened a restaurant with his wife, Kelly. After a number of years, they sought change...
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Episode 55 - Annette Cyr: The 24-Hour Restaurant Flow, Passion For Water Polo & For The Love Of Singing.
While growing up in Montreal, Annette spent a lot of time at the local swimming pool. It led to her discovering the sport of water polo, which would become a very important part of her life. She will speak about those years in the water, her love of singing, stories from the service industry,...
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Episode 54 - Jim MacDonald: British Columbia History, Investing In Yourself & Deep Family Roots.
Having grown up in various locations throughout British Columbia, Jim was witness to some fascinating provincial history in his youth. While in his teens, he landed a summer job working at the Vancouver Stock Exchange, this would lead him to a lifelong career in the investment business. Jim will...
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Episode 53 - Laurie Storrie: Building Change Through Diversity, Cycling Across Canada and Promoting Music.
Laurie will share stories from the cross-Canada cycling trip they and a friend went on and describe how the experience changed their life. They will also talk about the construction business they started and how the encouragement they received from their boss at the time, helped to make it…
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Episode 52 - Mary Anne Pare: The Road Less Travelled, Healing Through Play and The Joy of Living Simply.
After growing up in a suburb of Montreal with eight siblings, Mary Anne found herself in Berkeley, California as a young adult in the late sixties. She even made it to Woodstock! She will explain how those experiences shaped her, why she transitioned into becoming a subsistence farmer for six and…
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Episode 51- Madelin Emery: Going Full Circle, Navigating Loss and Building a Spiritual Home.
This time around I interview the wonderful, Madelin Emery. We talk about the journey she has been on while building her house, her passion for pottery and how she became involved with a truth and reconciliation circle on Pender Island. Madelin will also speak very openly about the challenges she...
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Welcome Home, Johnny Cunningham
Welcome to the fifth episode of this special series titled - Welcome Home. This is a chance to meet some of the new residents to Pender Island, hear why they chose to live here, how they are participating in the community and what the experience of living here has been like so far. Next up in the...
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Episode 50 - Kathryn Calder
I speak to Kathryn about her experiences as the Artist in Residence for the city of Victoria, between 2019 and 2021. She will describe some of the projects she developed during that time and reflect on her enjoyment of participating in community art. Kathryn will also speak about how she began...
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Episode 49 - Robert Dill: Drinking kava in the Vanuatu islands, A week with an elephant & Sacred dance journeys
Robert's story begins forty-nine years ago with the purchase of a summer home on South Pender Island. It then weaves through community development in James Bay, drinking kava in the Vanuatu islands, a week with an elephant, sacred dance journeys, magical happenings in Scotland and closes with the...
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Welcome Home, David Leadbeater
Welcome to the fourth episode of this special series called - Welcome Home. This is a chance to meet some of the new residents to Pender Island, hear why they chose to live here, how they are participating in the community and what the experience of living here has been like so far. Next up in…
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Welcome Home, Stefani Williams
Welcome to the third instalment of this special series called - Welcome Home. This is a chance to meet some of the new residents to the island, hear why they chose to live on Pender, how they are participating in the community and how the experience of living here is going. Next up in the series,...
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Welcome Home, Jorgen Jespersen
As the world has changed over the past few years, so has our island. Many people have decided to make a big move in their lives and relocate to our little paradise. This series is a chance to meet some of our new residents, get to know them a bit better, find out why they chose Pender, how they...
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Welcome Home, Alexandra Harrison
As the world has changed over the past few years, so has our island. Many people have decided to make a big move in their lives and relocate to our little paradise. This series is a chance to meet some of our new residents, get to know them a bit better, find out why they chose Pender, how they...