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PODCAST

The Backroads Bill Podcast

It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill! Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer Ben, Bill (who is the founder and the GM of the Canadian Ecology Centre) goes more in depth to the stories he has been sharing for years on CBC Radio and Village Media.Whether it’s a “day-trip” “overnight-trip” or “Sunday drive” you will discover your next great adventure!Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram:

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All Episodes

44:48

Gogama: Small Town, Big Heart in Northern Ontario

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/04/01

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head off the highway and into the small Northern Ontario community of Gogama, a place with a population of just a few hundred but a story that runs deep.We’re joined by longtime resident Gerry Talbot, who has spent his entire life in Gogama and has been involved in nearly every aspect of the community. From local services and volunteer boards to preserving the town’s history, Gerry shares what it takes to keep a small town going and why people continue to call

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48:46

Ignace: From Fading Town to Future Hub

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/03/27

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to take a closer look at the township of Ignace, a small community facing a big decision about its future.Once supported by forestry, mining, and tourism, Ignace has seen its population decline and its economy slow in recent years. With mills closing and opportunities becoming harder to find, the town found itself at a crossroads. That changed when Ignace was selected as the host community for Canada’s proposed deep geological

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38:53

The Wawa Runestone: Northern Ontario’s Newest...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/03/18

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to explore one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in the region in recent years.Local historian Johanna Rowe joins the show to talk about the discovery of the Wawa Runestone, a rock carving hidden in the bush that contains more than 250 characters written in runic script.Johanna walks us through how the discovery first came to light, the process of bringing archaeologists and language experts into the investigation,

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23:46

From the Australian Outback to Ontario’s Ice Roads

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/03/11

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we connect with a trucker whose journey spans continents. Sludge one of the stars of the Netflix series Outback Truckers, joins the show while passing through Northern Ontario after filming on the winter roads along the James Bay coast.Known for hauling freight across the harsh landscapes of Australia, Sludge found himself facing a completely different challenge: driving heavy trucks through deep cold, snow, and ice in the far north.In this conversation, Sludge

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31:52

Creating Snowshoe Art on the Back Roads with Kim...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/03/04

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head north to the shores of Lake Superior to meet Kim Asmussen, known to many as the “Snowshoe Art Guy.”Instead of a paintbrush and canvas, Kim uses snowshoes and wide open winter landscapes to create massive geometric designs and images in the snow that can only truly be appreciated from above Kim shares how a simple idea turned into a unique form of outdoor art.What started with one triangle in a schoolyard has grown into intricate patterns across frozen lakes

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47:30

Where Will Students Learn Best? Outdoor Experiential...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/02/26

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we welcome in professors at Burman University Kevin Kiers and Tim Buttler to talk about their new book, Outdoor Experiential Learning in Canada. It brings together educators from across the country to share how they are taking learning beyond the classroom and into the real world.Kevin and Tim share their own stories, from childhood adventures in rivers and mountains to years spent teaching students outside. What comes through clearly is that outdoor learning is

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33:03

From the Back Roads to the Classroom: Why Trustees...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/02/18

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we step away from our usual backroads stories to focus on something that affects every community: our local schools.School board trustees are elected by their neighbours to help guide budgets, set direction, and serve as the voice between families and the education system. It is a role built on community service, not politics. With several boards now under provincial supervision and possible changes ahead, the future of elected trustees in Ontario is

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43:21

Diana Beresford-Kroeger: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with world-renowned botanist, medical biochemist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger.Diana shares her extraordinary journey growing up in Ireland and having ancient wisdom passed down to her. She then studied to become a scientist with two PhDs who has spent decades studying the chemistry of trees and their direct connection to human health.She explains how the forests do far more than provide beauty and oxygen. Trees release natural compounds into the

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52:23

Making Science Make Sense: A Conversation with Dr...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Science does not just live in textbooks. It lives in stories, curiosity, and the ability to make people care.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with Dr. David Pearson. Dr. Pearson was the founding Director at Science North and a longtime professor at Laurentian University.We dive into science communication and it's importance, the importance of science centers like Science North, and how making science fun and hands on will help inspire the next generation of scientists.00:03

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51:30

Women Leading the North: A Conversation with Two...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/01/28

Leadership in Northern Ontario looks different. It means knowing your community, earning trust, and making tough decisions in places where resources are limited and expectations are high.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with two Northern Ontario mayors, Michelle Boileau of Timmins and Cheryl Fort of Hornepayne, to talk about what it’s really like to lead as a woman in local politics.They share their paths into public office, the challenges they’ve faced, and why

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36:22

From Backyard Experiments to Cult Classic: The Making...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/01/21

When Project Grizzly was first filmed, no one could have predicted the impact it would have decades later. What started as a story about a man building a bear suit in his backyard has become a cult documentary with a lasting place in Canadian film history.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, filmmaker Peter Lynch reflects on making Project Grizzly, working alongside Troy Hurtubise, and capturing a story driven by obsession, curiosity, and risk.Learn more about the upcoming 30th anniversary

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50:35

Project Grizzly, Troy Hurtubise and the Obsession...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/01/14

Troy Hurtubise was a larger than life character who was obsessed with creating the next big invention. One of the inventions that defined him was the bear suit which was famously featured in the film "Project Grizzly".In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we explore Troy’s story through the eyes of someone who knew him best, his son Brett. We talk about the obsession that drove him, the risks he took, and the line between genius and self-destruction. 0:00 Introducing Troy Hurtubise and

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46:14

Trades, Creativity, and a Chocolate Factory Inside...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2026/01/07

At White Pines Collegiate & Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie, school doesn’t look like it used to. Alongside classrooms and hallways, students are learning trades, building real skills, and even running a working chocolate factory.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we step inside White Pines to explore how the school is rethinking education. Principal Jennifer Barbeau and former student Josh Sidwell share why hands on learning, creativity, and multiple pathways matter,

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46:54

Why Jane Goodall Chose This Northern Ontario City as...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/12/31

For decades, Sudbury was known around the world for environmental damage. The land was scarred, the air was polluted, and few people believed recovery was possible. One person who saw something different was Jane Goodall.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with Dr John Gunn to talk about how Sudbury became an unlikely symbol of environmental hope. He shares how science, community action, and long-term commitment helped restore the land and why Jane Goodall believed this

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28:03

Santa Answers the Big Northern Ontario Questions

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/12/24

Every year, Santa flies over Northern Ontario. He sees the lakes, the rivers, the towns, and the backroads most people never notice.This time, we asked him to stop and answer a few questions. In this special christmas eve episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Santa joins us to talk about Northern Ontario history, geography, folklore, and some familiar stories from past episodes of the show.

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36:53

ALIVE Outdoors 25 Years In and Still Changing Lives...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/12/17

Twenty-five years ago, Jalynn Bosley left the traditional classroom to create something different. What started with a backpack, a few brave students, and a belief in the power of nature grew into Alive Outdoors, a nationally recognized outdoor education program.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Jalynn shares how Alive Outdoors began, why she believes outdoor experiences are essential for personal growth, and what she has learned from a career built on trust, challenge, and

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33:55

Snowmobiles Then and Now: A Life on the Trails with...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/12/10

Steve Hayward has spent most of his life on a snowmobile.He’s been a big part of Ontario’s snowmobile community. From helping to create SnowTrax to working closely with clubs and trail groups, Steve has seen how the sport has grown and what it’s up against today.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Steve shares stories from the trail, talks about how snowmobiling has changed over the years, and opens up about the challenges that clubs and riders are facing now.He also reflects on what

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41:53

Sudbury’s Green Revolution and the People Behind It

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/12/03

There was a time when flying into Sudbury felt like landing on the moon. The landscape was bare, the rock was black, and the air was thick with the effects of decades of mining and smelting.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Woods and Dr. Peter Beckett, two key voices in the story of Sudbury’s re-greening movement. They share how a damaged landscape was brought back to life with shovels, seeds, and the determination of a community that believed things could grow

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36:31

Surfing Lake Superior and Teaching in the Wild with...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/11/26

Chris Dube isn’t your average teacher. He surfs the waves of Lake Superior, teaches outdoor education in Terrace Bay, and believes deeply in the power of getting students outside and into the wild.In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Chris shares what it's like to ride cold waves on Canada’s biggest lake and how those same waters inspire his work in the classroom.He talks about growing up in Northern Ontario, why community matters, and how education and adventure go hand in hand.6:10 –

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35:07

No Wi-Fi, Just Wilderness: Finding Friendship on the...

The Backroads Bill Podcast ·

2025/11/19

When three seasoned paddlers invited a first-time canoeist from France to join them on a backcountry trip, none of them knew just how memorable it would be.In this episode we sit down with Claire and Catherine to hear the story of their journey down the Spanish River. They share what it’s like to travel off the grid, sleep under the stars, and form strong friendships without phones, timelines, or distractions.0:00 – Intro5:00 – Claire’s move from France to Canada9:00 – Planning a remote river

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134 results

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