Eat This! Drink That!

Come along to 760 Broughton Street in Victoria and meet Jonathan Morissette. He and his wife have recently opened a shop offering a broad selection of non-alcohol beverages. Softer Drink has spirit-free bottles from across the globe, non-alcohol wines, and cocktails, as well as unique teas. Jonathan shares their entrepreneurial journey, an overview of their inventory, and an invitation to visit this beautiful retail space that includes an eye-fetching tasting bar.

Come along for a half hour conversation about diabetes. Glenn Thibault not only is a key figure at Diabetes Canada - he will share his exact title - but also lives with the disease. We talk about how people dealt with the challenges in the past and how technology is improving quality of life for all today. What will tomorrow bring in management and control?

I met Bree Sharratt at the Thursday Esquimalt Market. It was Halloween and she was dressed as a giraffe. Now that's a conversation opener. It was her teas that prompted a visit to Langford and a tour of her shop. In this episode you will hear her passion for teas and infusions. Check out what she offers by googling Island Elixirs and of course listen along.I apologize for the slight background hum. Despite filtering the compressor blowing out the underground sprinkler system (as well as pounding rain on the seatainer's metal roof) across the street there is residual drone.

In this episode of QOL I share the delight in finding this bijoux space. Aerth saunas is a very special third place. Sitting by the fire pit Viki tells us of her journey imagining this, designing it, constructing it, and what it means to those who come to experience it.

Expert hospitality consultant Daniel Cronin has decades of experience assembling the perfect beverage... for you! We talk about ingredients, history (pouring the classics), and the growing segment of the "spirit-free" drinks world.

Another one of the interviews I've been wanting to do for some years. I had to ask myself what the delay and hesitation was; and so I said "go for it" and requested an opportunity. Julian Daly was kind enough to say yes.Julian is the CEO of Our Place Society. Victoria is not immune to the challenges of addictions, homelessness, and the weight of mental health issues. They are challenges national in scope.I am glad I got to learn from Julian that the situation outside, on the street, in the 900 block of Pandora, is not what goes on inside. Learning that this location is just one of ten sites and that there are possibilities beyond temporary sheltering and food services, has been valuable to me.Recovery, and even employment, is also discussed here. Have a listen.

Murals! Yes, the Sherlock Holmes Walk - adjacent to the Toronto Reference Library - features interesting interpretations of the contents and time of author Conan Doyle. Apologies for the sound quality, but this was recorded outdoors on a breezy day between buildings with ventilation. Kindly accompanied by Cliff Goldfarb we learn about the panels of inspired images. In the last portion we go up to the 5th floor collection to sit surrounded by books on or about Doyle, the books he wrote, the time period, and anything related to Sherlock Holmes. Yes, there is a Deerstalker and even a pipe sitting on the mantlepiece.

Dr. Gifford-Jones (Dr. Ken Walker) passed away on Canada Day 2025. He had long crossed the century mark and continued writing through his following time. His last book was on retirement living, but readers likely recall his 5 decade contribution to explanations on health and wellness. How wonderful to have the chance to visit with his daughter Diana, and learn more about this amazing man and his work.

We've been wanting to sit down and talk for years. Finally, we did it. Welcome Bryan Cooper to the podcast! Here is our discussion on men's mental health, and specifically his journey.

Well, we visited Simply The Best in Victoria for all things men's wear, so this time we are off to celebrate the 50 years of Fashion Fair. While so many specialty women's stores have disappeared, Sheila Bracken has survived. What is the key to her success? It is commitment combined with her personality. It comes down to being Sheila. Joined by her business partner Jocelyn Tait they together dress women for all occasions.Check out the article I wrote earlier in 2025:Lively’s Fashion Fair Ladies Wear says 'cheers to 50 years' | Sudbury Star

All my guests share one or more attributes; they are fascinating! Eric Boutilier is a subject matter expert on transportation (specifically rail service in Northern Ontario), and with that skill (and frustration) he has once again produced a game. "Tripped" takes you on a journey across North America, and just like the famous "Trouble" there are roadblocks and setbacks that impede your travel. Eric is a new mover to Thunder Bay and this comes up in our conversation also.

This is a short selection from an article I wrote in early summer 2025.Alex Tétreault started putting down written words for as long as he can remember. “It was a bit of an escape for me, and I just found it really fun.” He is Greater Sudbury's 8th Poet Laureate. Writing can be a liberating, but also sequestering process. For Tétreault this tension is very important. “It allows me to be as specific or as vague as I want and it gives me the time to reflect and choose the right words to get my ideas across the way that I want them to.” The play he crafted is in book form too. It is in French.“It was first produced by me and the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario (TNO) in June 2023. Because theatre is ephemeral and I wanted this story to keep being told. I submitted it to Prise de parole for publication and here we are. As a thoughtexercise I did translate it for a performance.”His play (and now book) Nickel City Fifs is setin Sudbury at Zigs Bar... Yes, the iconic Zigs is still open. “I wrote it and direct it, but o

Broadcaster, and wearer of many hats, John Lindsay has been part of Sudbury since the sixties. He has been a school board trustee, served on many committees, and has been an activist on many fronts... including bike infrastructure. He is fun to talk to and engaging as a conversationalist. I recall John's late night radio program as well as TV interviews with artists and musicians. Come along for a look back on John's life and career.

Visiting Taylor Bell at Wildness Ranch Glamping Retreat in Chelmsford, Ontario you begin to realize the alure of being in a tent under a forest canopy. The big open marshland to the south would be a birdwatcher's paradise. Perhaps watch meteor showers or the Northern Lights while sitting by your campfire. Off-grid this is not just a place to unwind and unplug, but to regain some peace.

On the hottest days of the year Lecoupe Ice is busy ensuring you and your beverages keep cool. I spoke with Daniel Mensour about this second and third generation Sudbury family business at their manufacturing centre in Val Caron. Block ice and cube ice for your cooler, Luxury Ice Balls and prisms for specialty drinks, what you find are consumables that improve your quality of life. Come along and listen to Daniel speak about what they have been doing for local and regional markets since 1945 - and learn about the newest products that will be sold world-wide.

Occupying 1/3 of you day, and your life, sleep is an essential part of living. What if your rest and revitalization is affected negatively by physiology, habits, condition within or even beyond your control? Take charge of this essential part of your quality of life by having a conversation with Tierney Gunthorpe. A specialist in Sleep Apnea Tierney and I have a wide ranging romp through everything from pillows to sleep environments.

I think Louis-Philippe Desjardins and I had contact more than a decade ago. He was involved in community based agriculture and CSA boxes was his thing. It still is. With a greenhouse and the addition of milling plus Silo 6 pastas he is one busy farmer-entrepreneur. Come along for the wide ranging conversation on food and food production.

I've heard about Haskap, but really had limited exposure to them. Reading that they are like a blueberry and a raspberry got together and had a baby gave me a deeper understanding of the flavour profile... sort of.The juice is lovely as a way to launch your day, the fruit leather explosive with deep purple notes, and jam that is like nothing the grocery stores sell. Yum!It was a delight to visit with Tara Hamilton at their family farm near St. Charles, Ontario. This program was recorded out in their extensive fields, as well as indoors at their store and production facility. There is the sound of refrigeration in the last 10 minutes. I have filtered out some of the background sounds.

Son and father, Sandro and Roberto Pegoraro are the effort, energy, and enthusiasm behind Pepperaro.Hot Maple Syrup, Hot Honey... there is a whole spectrum of pepper influenced products. They are getting ready for season 2025 with expanded planting, and more of everything.Come along and listen to their story, their aspirations and inspirations.

Karen Newington is an Ontario transplant. She's come from the hospitality program at Guelp and was immersed in the wine world of Niagara. Finding work at a wine bar in Duncan, B.C. she arrived at Unsworth. Yes, Vancouver Island grows grapes and makes exceptional wines.Come along for a tour of the property and a sampling of their white wines.