Advertise on podcast: The Conversation Lab

Elenore Sturko has taken an unusual road to the 2026 British Columbia election.Before politics, she worked in broadcasting, served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and spent more than a decade with the RCMP. She entered provincial politics in 2022 and, after a remarkable few years that took her through BC United, the BC Conservatives, a period as an Independent, and eventually CentreBC, she now finds herself leading the party into the October 24th provincial election. I joined her at home for a wide-ranging and surprisingly personal conversation about how she got here, what she believes, and why she still wants to be in politics.We talk about the snap election and why B.C. is voting two years early; affordability and housing; health care; addiction and public safety; SOGI 123 and the role of schools; the economy; political polarization; and what CentreBC means when it describes itself as occupying the political centre. Our conversation begins somewhere neither of us expected.

Bowen Island has a population of around 4,000 people and is a short ferry ride from Vancouver. But many of the questions confronting this small municipality will sound familiar far beyond its shores. How much housing do we need, and where should it go? How do communities accommodate growth while protecting the environment that attracted people there in the first place? What happens when aging infrastructure and limited water supplies collide with demands for more housing? How much can taxpayers afford? What does meaningful reconciliation look like at the local level? And how do elected officials make difficult decisions when the community itself is divided? For this episode of The Conversation Lab, we travel into the world of local government through a conversation with Andrew Leonard, Mayor of Bowen Island. Leonard was elected mayor four years ago and has now been returned by acclamation for another term. We sat down during Bowen’s 2026 municipal election campaign to talk about what those four years have taught him — about governing, about Bowen, and about the limits of what a small municipality can realistically accomplish.It has been a consequential term. We talk about housing and affordability, ferry congestion, aging infrastructure, water, environmental protection and reconciliation, along with Bowen’s major rewrite of its Official Community Plan — the document that will help determine how and where the island develops in the years ahead. Bowen Island may be small, but the questions aren't.They are questions being asked in communities throughout British Columbia: How do we grow? What do we protect? What can we afford? And who gets to decide what kind of community we become?That’s our conversation today on The Conversation Lab. Note: This episode was originally recorded for the Bowen Island Podcast as part of its 2026 municipal election coverage.

I've known Kirk LaPointe for a long time—as a journalist, broadcaster, colleague and friend. But knowing someone's work isn't necessarily the same as knowing their story. In this conversation, we go back to Kirk's early life, his remarkable career in Canadian journalism, what he's learned about leadership and public life, and eventually, why he's decided to run for mayor of West Vancouver. It's less about the politics and more about the person behind the candidacy.

Understanding an Official Community Plan (OCP) If you've ever wondered whether your children or grandchildren will be able to afford to live in your community, worried about housing, transportation, water, wildfire risk, climate change, traffic congestion, environmental protection, or simply what future generations will inherit, then you already have a stake in this conversation. While this episode focuses on Bowen Island where I live, the questions being discussed are the same ones facing communities across British Columbia and Canada. How do we grow? What should we protect? What infrastructure will we need? And how do we balance housing, environment, economy, and quality of life? In this episode, we talk with Mayor Andrew Leonard, Daniel Martin (Manager of Planning and Development), and James Crandles (OCP Steering Committee Co-Chair) to unpack Bowen Island's proposed Official Community Plan and the current phase of public engagement. Together they explore: • What an Official Community Plan (OCP) is — and what it isn't • Why Bowen's OCP is being updated now • The guiding frameworks shaping the draft • Housing diversity and infrastructure planning • Biodiversity, stewardship, and climate resilience • Transportation, community vitality, and circular economy principles • Land use maps, conservation areas, and development permit areas • How residents can participate meaningfully during this phase of engagement Whether you live on Bowen Island or in a growing community elsewhere, this conversation is about understanding the choices, trade-offs, and opportunities that shape the places we call home.You can learn more at bowenislandmunicipality.ca.

AI systems carry embedded worldviews. This isn’t a metaphor—it’s architecture. They inherit Western epistemologies, English-language biases, individualistic assumptions, capitalist logics, hetero-normative defaults, racialized categories, settler-colonial knowledge priorities, Silicon Valley’s belief in optimization and speed, and a particular moral grammar about what counts as “rational,” “true,” or “good.” This is a converstion with Farhan Samir that began in November as we graduated from UBC. Talking with him I felt something familiar—something that sits at the centre of my own work on conversation, polarization, and the power of language. Our conversaion reminds me how much complexity lies beneath even the simplest act of interpretation, and how rarely we pay attention to it.

Dr Jonathan Eaton is the lead author of a new study that takes a deep dive into how Vancouver residents think about disaster preparedness. He talks about how disaster preparedness is about more than seismic retrofits, sandbags, or evacuation routes - It's about people, about how we understand risk and what we value, and how our sense of place, memory, and community shape the choices we make before the ground starts shaking.

Two years ago, I underwent open-heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. What stayed with me, beyond the procedure itself, was the extraordinary level of care I received—from the cardiac team, nurses, and support staff. It felt deeply human, attentive, and intentional. When I later circled back to thank them, many of those I spoke with credited their approach to the teachings of Jean Watson. I was curious who was this person shaping how care is felt in a clinical setting? Jean Watson is a nurse, scholar, and founder of the Watson Caring Science Institute. Her work has transformed how we think about healing—not just as a physical process, but as something deeply relational and grounded in compassion. So, I reached out to her. I wanted to understand more about what it means to truly care, and what lessons her work might offer not just to those in healthcare, but to all of us—especially in these divided and uncertain times.

In this episode of Sticks & Stones, Roots & Bones, we sit down with Liz Stewart, a Defend Our Homes organizer with Neighbours United in British Columbia. Liz shares how deep canvassing, a powerful tool rooted in empathy and storytelling, is helping bridge divides in forestry towns where proposed biodiversity legislation is sparking debate. With curiosity and care, Liz opens up about what it means to meet people where they’re, the emotional weight of conversations across difference, and the quiet power of asking why. From growing up in resource-rich Manitoba to confronting her own assumptions, Liz’s journey reveals how vulnerability and respect can shift hearts and minds, one door and one conversation at a time. This isn’t just a conversation about forests. It’s a conversation about how we talk to each other and what’s possible when we truly listen.

Andy Hoffman is a distinguished professor at the University of Michigan, holding joint appointments at the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability. His work bridges two often disparate worlds—business and environmental stewardship—challenging the status quo by advocating for a new kind of capitalism, one rooted in moral purpose and long-term societal impact.  His latest book, Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market, offers a provocative vision for how business education must evolve in response to the existential challenges of our time. In this conversation, we explore not only the key themes of his new book but also his thoughts on capitalism, corporate responsibility, the intersection of business and policy, and how future business leaders can navigate a world increasingly shaped by social and environmental crises.  I hope you can join us.

Ian Williams is a poet, novelist, and essayist whose work explores themes of race, identity, and social complexity. Born in Trinidad and raised in Canada, Williams has developed a distinctive voice that combines lyrical sensitivity with sharp cultural insight. His debut novel, Reproduction, won the 2019 Giller Prize and was celebrated for its inventive structure and moving exploration of familial bonds across race and class.  I was particularly looking forward to our discussion to talk about his work, his latest book and about his PhD research which focused on the nuanced dimensions of tone and voice in print, examining how people’s identities and intentions are subtly encoded in their written words, particularly through everyday typing and texting. As you might imagine we talked about the transformative power of open, authentic conversations in fostering trust and understanding amid societal polarization. I hope you can join us.

barbara findlay is an old white cisgender queer lawyer with disabilities who was raised working-class and christian on the prairies. In this episode, we explore barbara's extensive career and contributions to social justice, her involvement in fighting against oppression, and her continuous advocacy work. The conversation touches on significant topics such as the challenges of navigating difficult conversations, the current wave of transphobia, and the profound impact of language on perception and interaction. barbara shares her experiences and strategies in dealing with these issues, offering valuable insights into the complexities of social justice advocacy.

Corey Nathan is the Executive Producer and Host of the Talkin Politics & Religion Without Killing Each Other podcast. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of words and conversations in various aspects of life. Corey Nathan shares his background as a stockbroker and theatre conservatory student, as well as his experiences as an entrepreneur and podcast producer. We emphasize the need to build bridges and have meaningful conversations with people who have different beliefs and perspectives. The conversation delves into the topics of cancel culture and identity politics, with Corey Nathan highlighting the problem of forming judgments based on limited information. They discuss the academic and sociological work being done to understand these phenomena and encourage a more intelligent and inclusive approach. Note: Corey quotes his grandfather and mentions horses behind.

Bowen Island is a small island and municipality at the entrance to Howe Sound. It's connected to Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland in British Columbia by a short ferry ride. Bowen Island residents are passionate about many things and its one of the many reasons I enjoy living here. Just over a year ago, we elected a new municipal council and in this podcast our Mayor (Andrew Leonard) talks about the challenges and opportunities on Bowen Island. Relevant because where most big cities are overwhelming, small municipalities like ours bring all of our community together to practice our version of participatory democracy. Our conversation covers a range of topics including the challenges living on a rural island in the shadow of Metro Vancouver, housing infrastructure, and grant funding. We also discuss Bowen Island's short-term rental policy and the possibility of establishing a tourism tax. The conversation highlights the need for public engagement and encourages residents to participate in the budget process and the development of a new official community plan. I think you'll enjoy how Andrew upacks how our community comes together in different ways.

Nick Enfield is Professor of Linguistics a the University of Sydney and a co-director of the Sydney Centre for Language Research. His recent books include Languave versus Reality, Concequences of Language, and How We Talk. In this podcast Nick discusses the importance of language and its impact on conversations. He emphasizes the need to understand language in its broader context, including its cultural and societal implications. He challenges the idea that language is simply a tool for describing reality, arguing that it is a choice individuals make to frame their experiences and perspectives. Enfield also highlights the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world and the importance of recognizing linguistic diversity.

Held is a partnership of facilitators, culture creators, and practitioners building a world liberated from oppressive systems, dynamics, and relationships. In this episode, one of their founders, Vanessa Faloye explains how with the help of co-founders, Alex and Pria, how they hold people, organizations and movements to build relational skills and cultural practices rooted in collective liberation. Our conversation highlights the need for improved communication and understanding about important social issues. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, challenging oppressive systems, and creating spaces for dialogue and growth. The work of the Held Collective aims to foster collective liberation and create a world where everyone can experience freedom, safety, and dignity