The Everything Red Deer Podcast -- powered by rdnewsNOW

Grab your cowboy boots and strap in for some pro rodeo action coming to Red Deer May 21-23 at Westerner Park. On this week's episode, hear from Red Deer Pro Rodeo organizers David Harvey and Dianne Finstad, who joined host Josh Hall in-studio for a conversation about how you can get tickets and what to expect, but also why rodeo is important to central Alberta, and how much it means to the community to add this event to the calendar (12:34). And of course, we have In Case You Missed It, plus some birthday and Star Wars talk. The Everything Red Deer Podcast is available on rdnewsNOW.com, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, iHeart, and Radioplayer Canada. 

Happy retirement to our guest on this bonus episode... longtime Red Deer resident Todd Labranche, who announced his retirement this week from the National Lacrosse League after 25 years and 491 games. 

Rebounding from a couple weeks off due to illness, the show returns in a big way with a pair of interviews, on top of our weekly segment 'In Case You Missed It,' where host Josh Hall highlights the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com! (7:57) Lori Shatto, executive director, The Lending Cupboard -- talking about the upcoming 15th annual Ladies' Luncheon event, and how her organization continues to provide a critical service to central Alberta. (19:57) Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Liberal MP for Calgary-Confederation, speaks on affordability measures in the face of the war in Iran, oil prices, what Canada can do and is doing to alleviate pressure on Canadians, as well as fertilizer costs and the impacts on producers, separatism, tension between Alberta and Ottawa, and his reassurance to Albertans that the current majority government won't forget about Alberta. The Everything Red Deer Podcast is available on rdnewsNOW.com, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, iHeart, and Radioplayer Canada. 

On this very special episode, Pattison Media reporters Ashley Lavallee-Koenig and Ian Gustafson, plus Pattison Media Alberta news director Sheldon Spackman join the conversation, running down all the April Fools hijinks you missed from around Red Deer and central Alberta. Plus, some exceptionally good ones from around the internet. This was fun!

In addition to ICYMI and the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com, hear from Citizenship Judge James Clover, who welcomed 122 new Canadians during a ceremony this week at Red Deer Polytechnic, and hosted by Red Deer Local Immigration Parternship. Plus, some thoughts on the ceremony, and about bad news, with podcast host Josh Hall.

Joining the podcast this week are two panel members for the upcoming 19th annual World Religions Conference at Red Deer Polytechnic, which goes March 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the mainstage at the RDP Arts Centre. Hear host Josh Hall's conversation with panelist Imam Atta-ul Wahab, who runs the Baitan Nur Mosque in Calgary (9:38), and co-moderator Dr. Dan Haas, who is a philosophy instructor at RDP (29:35). World Religions Conference information Also, ICYMI and the top 5 local news stories of the week at rdnewsNOW,com; plus, we talk for a moment about Community: Power of One, and the Central Alberta Top 40 Under 40.

Members of the cast of Lindsay Thurber's production of 'Newsies' join the podcast to talk about their upcoming performances, March 19-21. Hear that interview at the (11:40) mark. Plus, we have Friday the 13th talk, In Case You Missed It, and our community events rundown to kick off the episode. TICKETS! Powered by rdnewsNOW! 

The return of the show from a mini-vacation means we had to make Episode 61 jam-packed. Here's the agenda: In Case You Missed It (0:00) Community Events (8:55) Update on Lacombe Research and Development Centre - online story Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs speaks to House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (11:02) Lacombe County Reeve John Ireland speaks to House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (16:45) AAFC response (21:13) The Madden Daneault Hoopla Red Deer Rebels U15AAA Head Coach Justin Jarmolicz (24:35) Madden Daneault -- he of 149 points in 34 games (34:01)

The one and only Gordie Johnson, lead singer of Canadian rock band BIG SUGAR stops by the pod to speak with host Josh Hall about the 20th anniversary Hemi-Vision live tour, which stops in Red Deer Friday, Feb. 13. The podcast will be back March 6 as some much-needed vacation is being took! Thanks for listening.

This week, host Josh Hall speaks with Jen Harty, interim executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe & District all about how the organization works, the impact it has on so many people, and their upcoming charity event called A Night Among Stars, which goes March 14. As well, we have In Case You Missed It, and a couple special shoutouts and thank yous for some of our friends in the community. More details about A Night Among Stars can be found here.

This week on the show, we of course have 'In Case You Missed It,' plus host Josh Hall interviews Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs about the announcement this week that the 119-year-old Lacombe Research and Development Centre will close, killing more than 100 local jobs. For our previous coverage on this story, click here and here. As noted in the episode, thoughts about this decision can be sent to the federal minister of agriculture and agrifood by emailing [email protected].

On this season premiere of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, host Josh Hall catches you up on the latest news surrounding the much-enmeshed issues of homelessness and housing in Alberta's third-largest city. Hear from Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jefferies, Raye St. Denys with Shining Mountains Living Community Services, plus Jason Nixon, Alberta's minister of assisted living and social services. And of course, In Case You Missed It, our weekly segment looking at the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com. Email [email protected] for sponsorship interest, or with news tips, and complaints.

IT'S HERE! Our massive year-in-review lookback at the top news stories of 2025 around Red Deer and central Alberta, as reported on by the crew at rdnewsNOW.com. And stick around until the end of the episode for our big reveal of the #1 news (non-sports) story of the year, as voted on by our dedicated readers. Plus, a surprise guest to talk about that top story. It's all contained in this penultimate episode of Season 3 of The Everything Red Deer Podcast. Watch for our year-in-review in local sports episode dropping December 31. You can find companion pieces for today's year-in-review, plus with our aforementioned guest, now at rdnewsNOW.com. Thank you to Sheldon Spackman, Jordan Rein, Ashley Lavallee-Koenig, and Jordan Rein for their help recording this episode.

WOOT WOOT! We made it to one year! Happy Birthday to us, and thank you to everyone who's ever listened a even a few minutes of the show in year one. As well, thank you to all the guests we've had; it has honestly been a treat to do this podcast. Here's what you can find on today's episode, #54, the 1st birthiversary edition! Opening segment with a special mystery guest! (0:00) In Case You Missed It with said special mystery guest! (8:52) Holiday rant! (11:28) Interview with Jason Fiske of Farm Credit Canada about the FCC Young Farmer Summit in Red Deer! (15:27) See ya soon segment! (30:23) Over the coming weeks, watch for more of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, including a birthday special, Dec. 12, and two rdnewsNOW.com Year In Review specials Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Dec. 19 is TBD.

Year one of The Everything Red Deer Podcast has come with so many opportunities to speak with incredible people, including politicians, musicians, youth, Indigenous Elders, veterans, executive directors, and the list goes on. This is the second of two 'Best Of' episodes, and if you missed the Sports Edition on Nov. 28, do check it out. In addition to our regular Friday segment, ICYMI, here's who you'll hear condensed interviews with on this episode: (9:27) - Meagan Ophus, Rethink Red Deer Common Ground Garden Project, speaking on Earth Day. (Episode 18) (17:42) - Former Mayor Ken Johnston on the debate around Alberta separation; (24:17) - Former Mayor Ken Johnston on advice for the next city council and mayor; (27:39) - New Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jefferies reflects on her election win. (Episodes 22/42/47) (33:15) - Bonnie Critchley, candidate in the federal by-election for Battle River-Crowfoot, which was eventually won by CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, and which was taken over by the Longest Ballot Committee. (Episode 30) (38:40) - Bill Henderson, lead singer of the band Chilliwack, who performed in Rimbey at Rock the Track this past summer. (Episode 34) (45:35) - Teaser from Francis the Pig mini-documentary style episode. (Episode 39) (49:56) - Aaren Howse with the Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe speaks about World Rivers Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Episode 43) Over the coming weeks, watch for more of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, including a birthday special, Dec. 12, and two rdnewsNOW.com Year In Review specials Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

It's been a fantastically fun first year of The Everything Red Deer Podcast with many amazing guests. This is the first of two 'Best Of' episodes -- this week sports and next week news. Today on the podcast, you can hear a new edition of our weekly segment ICYMI, plus the best of the show's sports interviews from year one with: 7:11 - Stettler hockey player and motivational speaker Jesse Jack 15:45 - Olympic champion, mental health advocate, and 2025 Alberta Sports Hall of Famer Clara Hughes 24:27 - Stanley Cup champion and 2025 Alberta Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk 30:51 - New author, 2x Paralympian, and Red Deer's own Tammy Cunnington Over the coming weeks, watch for more of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, including a birthday special, Dec. 12, and two rdnewsNOW.com Year In Review specials Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Red Deer has renamed its downtown recreation centre, the Don Moore Recreation Centre. On this week's episode, host Josh Hall catches up with some of the people who knew him and knew of his great contributions to the community of Red Deer. Hear from his son Glenn Moore, City general manager of operations Sarah Tittemore, old colleague Jim Fry, and a performance, by Don's son Rick, of the song "A Man Who Got Things Done," which was originally written as a poem about Don by old colleague Neil Garvin. And of course, we have IN CASE YOU MISSED IT and the top 5 local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com.

Welcome to this bonus and milestone 50th episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, which is dedicated entirely to Remembrance Day. Here's what you'll hear on this episode: Opening remarks from host Josh Hall (0:00) In Flanders Fields (8:22) Community friends share what remembrance means to them (9:07) Interview with Al Cameron, founder Veterans Voices of Canada (17:46) Interview with Ray Stuart, second vice president, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 35 (Red Deer) (26:50) Closing remarks and thank yous (40:57) Flowers of the Forest (audio courtesy Canadian Department of Defence) (43:11) Thank you to all who contributed: Ashley Lavallee-Koenig, Ian Gustafson, Sheldon Spackman, Jordan Rein, Joyce Ross, Colleen Dufresne, Nicole Spooner, Al Cameron, Ray Stuart, Jamie Worthington,  Moises Ruiz, Nora Penner and Cadet Nevin from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, Cadet Landon Siemens plus Vrinda Chalyguina and Cindy Tong from Hunting Hills High School, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion's (Red Deer) acting president Kay Born, and Mayors Cindy Jefferies and Brent Ramsay. Thanks to Universal Production Music for various audio. Indigenous veterans stories Red Deer War Memorials Tour

This week, get to know a little about Brent Ramsay, who was recently elected the new mayor for Red Deer County. That interview took place this week at Red Deer County council's swearing-in ceremony, and was conducted by rdnewsNOW's Ian Gustafson. We also have In Case You Missed It, with the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com. Don't miss our very special 50th episode, dedicated to Remembrance Day, this TUESDAY, Nov. 11.  

Krissy Fiddler, show manager for the 41st annual Agri-Trade, is this week's feature guest on the show (8:48). Agri-Trade might sound like it's only for one group of people, but we're here to squash that theory, because Agri-Trade is definitely for everyone! We also have some PSAs from the Red Deer Rebels and Red Deer Christmas Bureau, and of course, In Case You Missed It (4:26), going through the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsnow.com.

Mayor-elect for the city of Red Deer, Cindy Jefferies, joins rdnewsNOW's Josh Hall in studio at BIG105 to discuss, one-on-one, winning the Oct. 20 municipal election, and a wide variety of topics, including the busy campaign, her mayoral bid loss in 2013, priorities for council as the term begins Nov. 3, property taxes, dynamic staffing at Red Deer Emergency Services, homelessness, housing, Downtown desirability, crime and the RCMP, the delay in getting election results, the plan to widen the QEII through a precious piece of wetlands, the CPR Bridge project, and working with the Government of Alberta. More election results and reaction from around central Alberta are here and here.

The Alberta teachers' strike is coming to a head, and the energy among teachers was evident Friday in Red Deer where a rally was held at City Hall Park. Host Josh Hall was there to catch up with ATA local presidents Evelyn Chan and Sara Lambert (7:31), as well as Meagan Parisian with the Alberta School Councils' Association (14:06). Finally, we have audio from a press conference held Friday featuring Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides (18:37), talking about the strike. Of course, In Case You Missed It (4:25) runs down the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com.  

If you are a business- or entrepreneurship-minded individual, this episode of the show is for you. If you are a Red Deer Rebels fan and want to hear from the new hometown captain of the club, it's also for you. Today, hear from Talon Brigley on being named the club's 29th captain (2:38), and then hear from Cathy Forner with the Catalyst Incubator program, which is helping entrepreneurs get off to a good start and able to thrive in a busy, competitive business landscape (12:33). Plus, ICYMI, with the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsnow.com (8:30), and some community news about Coats 4 Kids and the upcoming Ghost Walk tour (10:57). More information about the catalyst incubator is here.

National Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 5-11, so what better time to chat with Red Deer County Fire Chief Drayton Bussiere? Drayton talks about this year's theme, which is lithium ion battery-related, as well as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and the ongoing fire restriction. As well, both the city and county are hosting fire prevention open houses this week -- the city on Oct. 4 and the county on Oct. 11. Plus, ICYMI - with the top five local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com. More about Fire Prevention Week is here.

For the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, The Everything Red Deer Podcast spoke with local Indigenous and Indigenous organization leaders in the Red Deer area, including Donna Bishop and Lianne Hazell of the Red Deer Native Friendship Society, as well as Aaren Howse with the Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe. Plus, the show is happy to partner with 'A Day to Listen,' an initiative of the Downie Wenjack Fund, which you can also hear all day on Sept. 30 on 106.7 REWIND Radio and BIG 105 across central Alberta airwaves. On this day, #DOSOMETHING to help better relationships. The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer immediate support and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.  

When could be a better time than a month before voting day to get to know the five people running to be mayor of Red Deer? Plus, one last podcast interview (barring any 11th hour controversies) with outgoing Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston. And of course, In Case You Missed It, as well as some important election information! In Case You Missed It: 2:18  Election Info: 4:44  Ken Johnston: 9:00 Victor Doerksen: 26:08 Cindy Jefferies: 32:55 Lawrence Lee: 38:15 Gareth Scott: 46:21 John Gallagher: 54:12

Delayed by sickness, the Sept. 20 (19th) episode of the show features 2x Red Deer Paralympian swimmer Tammy Cunnington, whose new book 'Still Fighting' is out Oct. 4 on all main ebook platforms, as well as Amazon and IngramSpark. Tammy speaks with host Josh Hall about where her athletic journey began, when her childhood took a terrifying turn, and how she's morphed that into being an inspiration to many, a motivational speaker, an advocate for those with disabilities and physical impairments, and a multi-time international para-swimming medallist. Plus, In Case You Missed It, where Josh takes you through the top five stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com.

This week, host Josh Hall was out at Wolf Creek Golf Course in Ponoka for the long-running Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (ASHoF) golf tournament. First, Josh has In Case You Missed It (3:30), zigzagging through the top local stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com, then some community event info (6:00), and finally, interviews with ASHoF Board Chair Murray Cunningham (8:17), and Board Director Kelly Blackshaw (16:12) who is a 2x inductee and co-founder of KidSport Alberta. 

Thirty-five years after his daring escape and adventures in the wilds of Red Deer, Francis the Pig has been re-immortalized with a repaired, reinstalled, bronzed, and boujeed-up base. This week, we re-tell Francis's story, but host Josh Hall couldn't have done it without the amazing help of the City of Red Deer's Colleen Sharpe, the City of Red Deer Archives' Jillian Staniec, and former city employee (and pig enthusiast) Lowell Hodgson. Enjoy this special retrospective episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast!

You want Red Deer Rebels? The Everything Red Deer Podcast gives you all the Red Deer Rebels content you can handle this week. First, hear from play-by-play broadcaster Troy Gillard (7:40), then new head coach March Habscheid (22:02), and finally, 2025 first round draft pick Nolan Wolitski (29:24)! In Case You Missed It is back this week (2:48) with the top five stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com -- and speaking of, head there to check out our companion written story for this episode of the podcast!

[NOTE: Event venue changed to Westerner Park] -- It's almost here... the inaugural (first annual?) Red Deer Folk Fest runs Aug. 30-31. Learn all about it from the man behind it -- local singer/songwriter, and president at Deer City Records, Jesse Roads. More about the fest(ival?) is at reddeerfolkfest.com. And find the companion article, as always, at rdnewsNOW.com. PSSSST... No In Case You Missed It or The Page this week because host Josh Hall is enjoying some time off!

Ten years ago, Fast Eddy, or Edward Dostaler as he's known legally, began his run across Canada, and then he ran back, all in support of Alzheimer's and breast cancer awareness (8:34). Eddy made stops in Red Deer going both directions, and made a profound impact on the many Canadians he met along the way, including yours truly, the host of this podcast, Josh Hall. Eddy has now written a book about his experience, called Iceberg, which he hopes will help Canadians unite, and also give them a perspective that may help in times of loneliness or doubt. Iceberg is available for pre-sale NOW on Amazon and IngramSpark. Find the companion written piece to this episode at rdnewsNOW.com. Of course, listen to the start of the podcast for In Case You Missed It (3:45), where we go through the top 5 stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com, plus some notes about a couple of worthwhile opportunities in the community -- and stay tuned for The Page, in partnership with Red Deer Public Library!

On the show this week, host Josh Hall is joined by former deputy premier of Alberta and organizer of the 'Alberta Forever Canada' petition, Thomas Lukaszuk (9:32), plus Innisfail town councillor Jason Heistad (24:34) who is registered with Elections Alberta to be a petition canvasser over the next three months. From why Lukaszuk chose to undertake this petition with the old, more difficult regulations, to his confidence it can actually be done, from treaties to how you can get involved, we cover it all. And of course, In Case You Missed It, with all the week's top stories from rdnewsNOW.com (3:09).

In this very special bonus episode of the show, co-creator and lead singer of Canadian rock band Chilliwack, Bill Henderson, speaks with host Josh Hall about the band's history, experiences, and what's led them to the here and now, on their Farewell to Friends Tour, which stops in Rimbey, Alberta on Aug. 8 during the Rock the Track Music Festival.   *All music in this episode is supplied by Chilliwack and dkpr public relations. Tickets to Rock the Track are at showpass.com. Tickets to Chilliwack's final tour in other cities are available through gonegonegone.com.

On the Aug. 1, 2025 episode of the show, host Josh Hall speaks with Linda MacPhail (8:40), executive director with the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind, which is celebrating 50 years this year. As usual, Josh has In Case You Missed It (3:05), and The Page (21:32), plus a quick note on the anniversary of the Black Friday Tornado.

Are you ready to Rock the Track, August 7-9 in Rimbey? Back to our regularly scheduled Friday programming, with In Case You Missed It, then host Josh Hall previews Rock the Track, with its creator Terry Raymond (9:13); plus, the frontman for long-time Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman, Tyler Connolly, is on the show (19:37)! Tyler also sticks around for our segment, The Page, in partnership with Red Deer Public Library (29.24). Get your tickets for Rock the Track HERE, and find our companion written piece at rdnewsNOW.com. Also, follow rdnewsNOW on TikTok, X and Bluesky, and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.

On this bonus episode (our third episode in four days), rdnewsNOW journalist Ian Gustafson chats with 2025 Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and frankly, legends of the game, Joe Nieuwendyk (7:13) and Carla MacLeod (14:09). The interviews were conducted at this past weekend's induction gala at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer, which is home to the Hall. For more details on how to nominate someone, visit hockeyalberta.ca. And you can find this episode's written companion piece at rdnewsnow.com.

On this bonus episode of the pod, host Josh Hall is joined by Bonnie Critchley, an independent candidate running in the Aug. 18 federal byelection for Battle River-Crowfoot in east-central Alberta. But she isn't up against just the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, she has more than 100 opponents, most of whom are protest candidates, all of whom will also be listed on the ballot as 'Independent.' Following the interview with Bonnie, Josh has a written statement provided by the mysterious Longest Ballot Committee. Companion written piece is at rdnewsnow.com. More on the byelection is at elections.ca.

A loaded episode this week features the leader of the Republican Party of Alberta, Cameron Davies. Off the hop, host Josh Hall starts with some food for thought on why we chose to do this interview, and then it's time for the segment sweeping social media -- 'In Case You Missed It,' rolling through the week's top five stories at rdnewsNOW.com. Then, learn about a local initiative for cancer patients put on by The Endless Spirit Foundation. (8:48) We get to our in-studio chat with Mr. Davies (10:19), followed by a media scrum from this week with Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi. (46:20) Finally, Cameron Davies sticks around for our literacy segment 'The Page,' in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library (53:53), and then some final thoughts.

In the season three premiere of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, host Josh Hall takes a reflective and retrospective look back at the Pine Lake tornado, which caused its devastation, including 12 fatalities, 140 injuries, and over $3 million in property damage, 25 years ago, as of this Monday, July 14. Following 'In Case You Missed It,' (9:10) Josh speaks with long-time central Alberta media personality Jim Claggett (13:31) who was reporting at the time in Red Deer, and covered the tornado in its aftermath. Jim also sticks around for 'The Page,' (30:16) our weekly segment in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library. Read the written companion piece to this podcast episode here: https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/07/11/podcast-25-years-later-reflections-on-the-devastating-pine-lake-tornado/  

Could the Women's Football Alliance, the largest women's tackle football league in the world, succeed in a market like Red Deer? The group looking for Canadian ownership groups thinks so. This week, host Josh Hall has 'In Case You Missed It' (5:06), with the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com. Then, he speaks to Cary Kaplan, president of Cosmos Sports & Entertainment (8:32), as well as Martin Rheaume, head coach with the Central Alberta Fire girls football program (24:07).

Easily the most decorated lineup of guests to grace The Everything Red Deer Podcast is featured on this bonus episode, and it all happened thanks to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, which held its 2025 induction ceremony on June 7, 2025 at the Red Deer Resort & Casino. Host Josh Hall tees things up and then is in conversation first with Cor Ouwerkerk and Mike Harnett of the 1981-89 Red Deer College Queens volleyball team, which won an unfathomable 8 consecutive ACAC titles. (6:34) Then, Josh speaks with Canadian wheelchair basketball pioneer and 2x Paralympic gold medalist (2000 and 2004), Ross Norton, to speak about his inspiring journey to the pinnacle of his sport. (17:54) Finally, Josh is joined by the only Canadian Olympian to medal at both a Winter and Summer Games; she is an incredible ambassador for mental health causes, and promoting females in sport. She is the one, the only, Clara Hughes. (25:48) Oh, and Clara was awesome enough stick around and help us with 'THE PAGE' -- our segment in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library! (35:01) Companion story is at rdnewsNOW.com.

We start this week with some words about D-Day, with June 6, 2025 being that fateful day's 81st anniversary. Host Josh Hall takes you through 'In Case You Missed It' (4:06) and the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com; a message about an upcoming fundraiser called 'Appetite for Instruction' (7:57); in conversation with Bradley Lafortune, executive director of Public Interest Alberta about their call to the UCP government for an independent seniors advocate (8:58); Josh relays a response from the provincial ministry of hospital and surgical services (19:13); Josh is in conversation with Lisa Manning, executive director at Red Deer's Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre (22:01); we hear from participants young and old in the 2nd annual Steps Across Generations Walk (27:39) -- and my sincere apologies for biffing the event's name a couple times; finally, it's 'The Page,' in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library -- this week, special guest Sheldon Spackman tells us what he's reading! (31:48).  

The podcast is graced this week by the fine folks at Make-A-Wish, including Wish Kid Blake, who's just 10-years-old. Blake, along with mom Amanda, and the organization's development manager for Edmonton region, Kathryn McLean, join host Josh Hall to talk about the upcoming Heroes Challenge event, happening Sept. 24 at The Dome, and to give you a sense of what families go through before, during and after a wish is granted. On today's episode, we have 'In Case You Missed It' (4:44), followed by a message about the 17th annual Community Spring Feast (8:20), then we have our interview with Make-A-Wish (9:30), and finally, it's 'The Page', in partnership with Red Deer Public Library (27:02). To register for the 2025 Heroes Challenge, click here.

College-turned-pro hockey player Jesse Jack, who is from central Alberta, as well as Central Sport CEO Trevor Thomas, join the podcast for the May 23, 2025 episode to talk about the upcoming 'She Plays' event at Red Deer Polytechnic. Host Josh Hall has 'In Case You Missed It' and counts down the week's top five stories (2:15); then hear from Trevor Thomas about what Central Sport does and how you can register for the event on May 31 (4:50); and Josh speaks with Jesse Jack who shares her incredibly inspiring story of perseverance (13:22). Finally, it's 'The Page,' brought to you by Red Deer Public Library (29:33); and Josh has a final message about wildfire season. To register for 'She Plays,' email [email protected].

May 16: The Everything Red Deer Podcast welcomes back Mayor Ken Johnston this week to talk about the idea of and discussion around Alberta separating from Canada, and you'll hear that chat right off the hop as host Josh Hall visits the mayor in his City Hall office. Because we're a little backwards this week, then you'll hear 'In Case You Missed It,' where we run down the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com (44:09); and finally, a brand new segment on the podcast, brought to you by the Red Deer Public Library -- it's called The Page! (48:58) - *Note: You may notice some audio difficulties in this episode; my apologies, but thank you for listening.

Two very different guests and subjects comprise the May 9, 2025 episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast. After 'In Case You Missed It' (4:07), which by the way features an amazing update about some very scientific grade threes, host Josh Hall talks to the new CJHL Rookie of the Year, Easton Daneault of Red Deer and the AJHL's Drumheller Dragons (11:06); finally, Josh is in conversation with Kelley Arnold from the Red Deer Native Friendship Society about Red Dress Day and what it means to walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP), or those who are often referred to as MMIWG2S+ (14:58). If you are affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.

We close the door on the 2025 federal election on this week's episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast. First, host Josh Hall goes over some fast facts from the results of local ridings, then it's 'In Case You Missed It' (6:19). Without further ado, Josh speaks with Red Deer MP-elect and House of Commons first-timer Burton Bailey (10:48); and finally, Pattison Media's Alberta news director Sheldon Spackman is in conversation with Ponoka-Didsbury MP-elect Blaine Calkins, who has been elected for a seventh time (21:36). Both MPs represent the Conservative Party of Canada. To close, Josh has one final election-related request for everyone (30:17).

This week, hear reflections on the visit of the late Pope Francis to Maskwacis, Alberta on July 25, 2022, from people who were there. Francis, who died April 21, made an apology that day to Indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in the Indian Residential School System. After our weekly segment ICYMI (5:50), which runs down the week's top stories, host Josh Hall speaks with Reverend Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation (11:15), and former rdnewsNOW journalist Alessia Proietti (32:40) -- both of whom were present in Maskwacis with Pope Francis. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line remains available to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419, or visit hopeforwellness.ca. Companion story is at rdnewsNOW.com.