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PODCAST

Echo Essentials Podcast

The Echo Podcast Network

The Echo Essentials Podcast ties together all the elements of the North Bay Echo Community Podcast Network, hosted by Essentials newsletter editor Dave Dale and Echo"s principal partner Scott Clark.Guests on the weekly show will reflect the challenges and issues facing North Bay while Scott and Dave discuss the topics and podcasts featured in the newsletter ... as well as upcoming projects.References to the To North Bay With Love, Backroads Bill, Frontline and Cheap Seats episodes will be common.The

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

57:49

Creating, Innovating & Surviving in the Education...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/09/18

What does it really take to lead a university, through good times and bad? In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University, to talk about the behind-the-scenes decisions that helped the school avoid the financial collapse many thought was insurmountable.From strategic budgeting and expanding STEM programs, to supporting international students and building cultural inclusivity, Dr. Wamsley shares powerful

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51:01

Changing the Narrative - World Suicide Prevention Day...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/09/11

In this week's Echo Essentials episode, Chris sits down with Malinda and Kyla from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) North Bay to talk about World Suicide Prevention Day. From new suicide grief support groups to free SafeTALK training, discover how CMHA is equipping people with the tools to save lives and heal from traumatic loss. The conversation dives into stigma, the power of restorative storytelling, supporting high-performance athletes, and the simple ways we can all make a

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56:47

Running Against the System: Why Dillon Anderson Took...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/09/04

When Ontario student Dillon Anderson ran against Pierre Poilievre in Alberta, it wasn’t about winning but making a point.In this episode of Echo Essentials, Dillon explains what inspired him to join the longest ballot, how he legally ran in a province he doesn’t live in, and why he thinks Canada’s electoral system needs a serious overhaul.02:30 – The Longest Ballot Committee05:30 – Protest or Interference?11:00 – Campaigning Without a Budget20:15 – What He Learned in Alberta35:30 – The Future of

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49:04

Kathleen Rochon Does Her Homework: Speaking with West...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/08/28

What’s it really like being a first-time mayor in one of Northern Ontario’s largest municipalities?Mayor Kathleen Rochon of West Nipissing joins Echo Essentials to share the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes stories of running a geographically vast rural community. From fixing broken council culture to taking a stand on controversial environmental issues, Kathleen shares her thoughts.Mayor Rochon and Chris discuss some local stories surrounding West Nipissing, including the glyphosate spray plan in

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45:31

Scams In The City: How the North Bay Police Service...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/08/21

Think you’d never fall for a scam? Think again. In this week's episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Detective Constable Zack Dagg and Constable Merv Shantz from the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) to dive deep into the frightening world of fraudsters and scammers. From door-to-door “contractors” and impersonation scams, to AI-generated voices pretending to be loved ones, their methods are evolving! The officers detail with Chris some preventative measures on how to avoid

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49:55

Living the Laker Life: Talking Student Politics With...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/08/14

What really goes on inside a university student union?In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski catches up with Matt Suszter (President, NUSU) and Abby Noonan (Administrative Assistant) for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life inside the Nipissing University Student Union.From student politics and leadership to battling food insecurity on campus, this episode dives into the rebranding of the on-campus food bank, “OWLS Week”, how to get involved with clubs & communities, and

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55:25

From Fax Machines to Facebook - How Local Journalism...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/08/07

In this episode of Echo Essentials, veteran journalist Greg Estabrooks joins host Chris Piekarski to talk about the golden days of North Bay media, wild high school sports rivalries, and how today's journalists are navigating shrinking newsrooms and fascinating local scandals.Greg shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, emotional war memorial moments, and how covering news in a small city can get personal fast.00:00 – Intro03:00 – Greg joins the show: Fax machines, phone calls, and pre-internet

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61:30

Sayonara Dave Dale – A Legacy of Truth, Tenacity, and...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/07/31

In this unforgettable episode of Echo Essentials, we say farewell to the legendary Dave Dale as a permanent co-host of the Echo Essentials podcast.From fierce city hall controversies to the inside story of the Echo Podcast Network's inception, Dave tells all! Alongside Dave, Chris Piekarski is also joined by former Echo Essentials co-host Scott Clark, dive deep into the ethics of journalism, political heat in covering stories around North Bay, and what might be next for the seasoned journalist.It's

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61:20

Expense Investigations, Ward Debates & Why Local News...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/07/24

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris and Dave welcome Will Konken, BayToday’s newest journalist, who’s been thrown into the heart of North Bay’s hottest local stories — from expense scandals to evolving city hall drama.From discussing what the role of journalism is like in small communities, to the future of local media in the age of clickbait and shortened attention spans, Will shares his opinions and details his processes on being a journalist in the north.

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48:05

The Mole Mobile Is Coming to North Bay - Chatting...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/07/17

Think sunscreen is just for summer? Think again.In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris Piekarski and Dave Dale sit down with Falyn Katz, CEO of Melanoma Canada, to break down the rising rates of skin cancer, the free screening mobile unit visiting North Bay, and the biggest myths that put Canadians at risk.This episode is full of personal stories, science-backed facts, and easy, life-saving tips. If you’ve ever skipped using SPF, wearing UPF or if you've brushed off a weird-looking mole,

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48:25

What Kind of Storm Hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/07/10

What hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park wasn’t a tornado. It was something else...In this eye-opening episode of Echo Essentials, Chris Piekarski sits down for a call with Dr. David Sills, Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, to talk about the storm that devastated part of Highway 17 East of North Bay, and how his team investigates extreme weather events across Ontario and Canada.Dr. Sills also discusses how how downbursts differ from tornadoes, the science behind tree patterns, drone

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30:57

From North Bay to Royal Recognition: How OUTLoud...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/07/03

OUTLoud North Bay has been creating safe, affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth for the past several years. In this week's episode, Chris Piekarski sits down with founder Seth Compton and volunteer Riley Ong to talk about their surprise invitation to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward in Toronto — and the life-changing work that led to it.The episode also discuss the emotional moment when Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor was brought to tears during her visit to OUTLoud's space, Riley's ascension

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59:37

Trapped by Trees, Roads Washed Out - Inside...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/06/26

When a freak storm ripped through Bonfield, Ontario, no one was ready for what came next: 100+ damaged roadways, families stranded in parks, trees smashing into vehicles, and a state of emergency declared at 4 a.m.In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Mayor Narry Paquette and Deputy Mayor Jason Corbett just days after the disaster. They walk Chris and Dave through how emergency response was mobilized in the middle of the night, and why small-town collaboration might be the secret to

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49:53

North Bay's Housing Situation: Justine Mallah on What...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/06/19

Is North Bay doing enough to address its housing crisis? In this episode of Echo Essentials, City Councillor Justine Mallah opens up about the city's growing housing challenges—from affordability and zoning to the human impact on renters and first-time buyers.She breaks down what City Hall is doing, the roadblocks in the way, and why transparency and collaboration are key to making progress.00:00 – Intro05:00 – The housing issue North Bay can’t ignore10:00 – What the city is doing now15:00 –

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44:19

Kindness Isn’t Soft — It’s Science!

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/06/12

What if kindness wasn’t just a feel-good gesture—but a psychological superpower?In this special Kindness Week episode of Echo Essentials Dr. Andrew Weeks explores the neuroscience and social psychology behind compassion.From community programs to deeply personal moments, this episode asks: Can kindness really change the way we live together?

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62:51

Measles, Misinformation & Public Health with Dr....

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/06/05

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Medical Officer of Health/Health Executive for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, to unpack the alarming resurgence of measles across Ontario and Canada — including confirmed cases in North Bay for the first time since 1995.Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare worker, or just someone trying to make sense of the headlines, this episode cuts through the noise with facts, compassion, and clarity. Measles

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50:35

New Mayor, Familiar Face: Rick Champagne Steps Into...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/05/29

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Champagne, newly appointed Mayor of East Ferris, to talk about stepping into the role, the unexpected path to the mayor’s seat, and how the community is balancing growth with identity.From his early volunteer work to the council’s decision that led to his appointment, Champagne shares candid thoughts on local leadership, development pressure, and what comes next for East Ferris.00:00 – Intro08:50 – Why Rick didn’t run last election14:20 – Inside the appointment

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51:49

Speeding, Scooters & Seatbelts: What Road Safety Week...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/05/22

Constable Merv Shantz from the North Bay Police Service joins the show to talk about Ontario’s Road Safety Week — and what it actually looks like on the streets of North Bay.From cell phone tickets and speeding hotspots to mobility scooters and modded bikes, this episode is a crash course in how enforcement works, what’s legal (and what’s not), and how to keep yourself safer on the road.00:00 – Intro05:15 – “150 collisions a month?” What’s really happening in North Bay10:30 – Radar, LIDAR, and the

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57:14

Is the Ward System the Answer for Municipal...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/05/15

North Bay City Councillor Jamie Lowery joins us for a deep dive into one of North Bay’s most persistent political debates: the ward system.Why has this idea resurfaced every election for 20+ years? What’s stopping the city from even studying it? And could a customized, hybrid system finally give residents the local representation they deserve?00:00 – Intro01:21 – Why we’re talking about the ward system now05:07 – 20 years of political dodging: Why no one studies it09:19 – Jamie Lowery joins the

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55:15

The Bugs Are Back - How to Deal with Pests This...

Echo Essentials Podcast ·

2025/05/08

Spring has arrived—and so have the pests. From bedbugs and carpenter ants to fat spiders and cluster flies, pest season is officially here.Geoff Richardson from Good Riddance Pest Control joins us for a practical, sometimes squirmy, conversation about what to expect this season, how to protect your home, and why some pest problems are more emotional than physical.Chris and Dave also discuss some of the post election updates including Poilievre's attempt to run in Alberta.00:00 – Intro & a

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109 results

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