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Send us Fan Mail Why Stay? Why Go? | Keith Wilson & Paul Howarth Alberta is facing a question that is creating passionate debate across the province: Should Alberta stay in Canada, or is it time to go? In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Keith Wilson and Paul Howarth sit down for a respectful, candid conversation about Alberta’s future. Keith makes the case for why Albertans should have the opportunity to consider a future outside of Canada, while Paul offers the opposing perspective and makes the case for staying. The conversation explores Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, the economy, energy, equalization, pensions, trade, national unity, and what separation could mean for future generations. But this episode is about more than deciding who is right. At a time when Alberta, and Canada as a whole, can feel deeply divided, conversations like this matter. We need to be able to disagree, challenge one another, listen to the other side, and still treat each other with respect. Please listen right to the end. The way Keith and Paul finish this conversation may be one of the most important parts of the entire episode. It demonstrates what healthy political discourse can look like, even when two people strongly disagree about something as significant as the future of Alberta. Listen to both sides. Ask questions. Get informed. And make up your own mind. This is “Why Stay? Why Go?” with Keith Wilson and Paul Howarth on The Okotoks Podcast.

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to bring live music to the Foothills? This week on The Okotoks Podcast, I’m joined by Kevin Levacque, who organizes the Travellers Concert Series, and recording artist Meera Sylvain. Kevin shares what goes into bringing performers to our region, while Meera talks about her music and the path that led her to the stage. We also hear Meera perform. Listen to the end for more of her music and details about where you can see her live. For upcoming concerts and series information, visit http://www.travellersconcertseries.ca

Send us Fan Mail Politics can divide friends, families and entire communities. Is there a way to disagree without giving up on each other? On this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Brandi Weston, a University of Calgary researcher whose work examines populism and Take Back Alberta. Brandi began studying political division after watching relationships fracture during COVID. Her research led her to ask why people join movements, how those movements gain influence, and whose voices get heard along the way. Carlin and Brandi discuss Take Back Alberta’s role in getting people politically involved, Alberta’s frustration with Ottawa, and the tension between party members’ priorities and a premier’s responsibility to the whole province. They also explore pluralism, anti-liberalism, distrust of the media, and what “faith, family and freedom” mean in a society where people hold different beliefs. They don’t agree on everything. But this conversation is a chance to hear a different perspective, challenge an idea, and perhaps leave with a better understanding of the person across the table.

Send us Fan Mail Are your kids prepared to speak up and get help if a situation feels unsafe? Would you recognize a scam if it sounded like someone you love? This week on The Okotoks Podcast, I sit down with Chris Kennedy, owner and instructor of Rhino Defense Inc. Chris spent 18 years with the Calgary Police Service and now teaches practical safety skills to children, adults and seniors. We talk about his child safety and abduction prevention program, including how kids can use their voice, create distance and make decisions when someone approaches them. Chris also explains how he teaches those skills in a way that builds confidence without creating fear. For seniors, we discuss staying confident while out in the community and recognizing common scams, from suspicious calls and emails to someone showing up at the door. Chris shares why awareness and a plan can matter more than knowing how to fight. Chris is bringing two programs to the Tenfold Regional Field House in Okotoks on October 4: a child safety course and a senior empowerment and crime and scam prevention session. Registration is through the Field House. Listen in for a practical conversation about helping the people we love feel safer and more confident.

Send us Fan Mail Alberta is facing an important conversation about its future—and Albertans deserve the opportunity to decide what that future should look like. In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, I welcome Tanya Clemens back to discuss Alberta independence, the growing frustration with Ottawa and the movement calling for greater provincial autonomy. We talk about the proposed pathway to independence, the current level of support among Albertans and whether the independence movement has become divided. Tanya also responds to some of the difficult questions surrounding separation: trade, pensions, currency, national defence and Alberta’s future relationship with Canada and the United States. There is already plenty of noise, anger and name-calling surrounding this issue. This conversation is an opportunity to move beyond the slogans, hear another perspective and allow people to make up their own minds. You may strongly agree with Tanya, completely disagree with her or still be undecided. Regardless of where you stand, the most important thing is to become informed, take part in the conversation and get out and vote.

Send us Fan Mail Okotoks is growing—but are we growing too fast, and are we prepared for what comes next? In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, I sit down with Paul Howarth for a frank conversation about the future of our community. We discuss increasing housing density, traffic and infrastructure pressures, rising municipal debt, waste collection challenges, and the Town’s plan to grow Okotoks to approximately 96,000 people by 2049. Growth may be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean residents should stop asking tough questions: How much growth can our existing infrastructure handle? Will rapid development really keep taxes down? What happens to property values if housing supply outpaces demand? And how do we preserve the identity and quality of life that made people choose Okotoks in the first place? This conversation doesn’t hold back. Now is the time for residents to become informed, speak up and take part in shaping the future of our town. The Okotoks Concerned Citizens group will meet Monday, September 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Crystal Shores Beach House to discuss the next steps in organizing this grassroots group. Everyone is welcome. Correction: During the conversation, I referred to an upcoming public hearing regarding Hopewell’s proposed west-side development. It is actually expected to be an open house, and no date was listed on the project website at the time of recording.

Send us Fan Mail On the northeast edge of Okotoks, a new commercial development has been taking shape for years. Now, it finally feels like the finish line is in sight. Located at the corner of Milligan Drive and 48 Street, the development will feature everything from a gas station and daycare to a dentist, pizza, 99-cent wings—and, of course, another liquor store, because apparently Okotoks needed one more! But at the heart—and perhaps the soul—of this new development is Soul Sisters Café. In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, I sit down with Linda Froise to discuss the story behind Soul Sisters Café, why she wanted to open a café, the long journey to get here, and what customers can expect when the doors finally open. We also talk about the café’s connection to art, the atmosphere Linda hopes to create, and her vision for making Soul Sisters a welcoming gathering place for the entire community. It has taken patience, determination and plenty of hard work, but Soul Sisters Café is getting closer—and I think Okotoks is going to be excited about what’s coming. This is the story behind Soul Sisters Café.

Send us Fan Mail Tariff This: Elbows Up, Egos Down “Elbows up” has become Canada’s rallying cry—but is retaliation actually a strategy? In this solo episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin Lutzer draws on 15 years in real estate to examine how arrogance, pride and personality can prevent two sides from reaching a deal—even when the people they represent desperately need one. Carlin explores Canada’s dependence on the American market, our failure to diversify trade and the barriers that still make it difficult to trade within our own country. He also questions whether tariffs meant to punish the United States ultimately place Canadian families, workers and businesses in the penalty box instead. This isn’t about cheering for Donald Trump or surrendering Canada’s dignity. It’s about recognizing the imbalance between the two economies, controlling our retaliation and negotiating from a position grounded in reality. Politicians may take the penalties, but ordinary people pay the price. Elbows up? Absolutely.  Eyes open? Always.  Egos down? It’s time. What do you think? Is Canada’s “elbows up” approach protecting our interests—or hurting the very people it is supposed to defend?

Send us Fan Mail Why would a company with no clients in the Foothills Region  put its name on our Regional Field House? Carlin sits down with Nathan Neufeld, CEO of the Tenfold Group, to discover the answer. Nathan shares his journey from growing up in Okotoks to building a successful group of companies rooted in the values of character, relationships and performance. He also explains why Tenfold created its charitable foundation and how the organization supports people both locally and around the world. The conversation explores the story behind the Tenfold Field House Powered by Team Up—and why the partnership is intended to be about much more than advertising or naming rights. It’s a conversation about business, generosity, community involvement and what can happen when a company chooses to operate with an open hand.

Send us Fan Mail Sick… and Sick and Tired of Waiting What if getting medical care didn’t mean sitting for hours in a waiting room? In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Charlene Crooks, BScN, MN, FNP-C, owner of Your NP Next Door. Charlene has more than 20 years of healthcare experience in surgery, medicine, public health and acute care. Today, she is bringing healthcare directly to patients through a mobile primary-care service in Okotoks and the surrounding area. We discuss what a nurse practitioner is, what Charlene can diagnose and prescribe, when it makes sense to call Your NP Next Door, and how mobile healthcare could help reduce the pressure on walk-in clinics and urgent care. No crowded waiting room. No unnecessary travel. Just accessible healthcare delivered in the comfort of your own home. Learn more or book an appointment at: https://www.yournpnextdoor.ca/

Send us Fan Mail Youth sports are supposed to teach teamwork, accountability, resilience and a love of the game. But with rising costs, packed schedules and increasing pressure to win, have we lost sight of their real purpose? Chris Cederstrand returns to The Okotoks Podcast to talk honestly about what youth sports have become—and what needs to change. Chris is a former Team Canada sledge hockey player and World Championship silver medallist, former firefighter, hockey coach, motivational speaker, KidSport ambassador, founder of the Cederstrand Foundation and former competitor on Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. Together, we discuss the growing cost of sports, children being left behind because their families cannot afford to participate, the pressure parents place on young athletes and the challenges facing volunteer coaches. We also ask some difficult questions: Are kids playing too many games? Has winning become more important than development? Are parents making youth sports about themselves? And are we teaching children to love the game—or programming that love right out of them? This conversation goes beyond hockey. It’s about raising accountable, resilient young people and remembering that very few children will become professional athletes—but every one of them will eventually become an adult.

Send us Fan Mail Ricky Sanchez came to Okotoks from Mexico City at just 15 years old with very little English, a love for baseball and a dream he was determined to pursue. In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Ricky shares the story of leaving his family in Mexico to join the Dawgs Academy, attending Holy Trinity Academy and continuing his baseball career through several American colleges, including Gonzaga University. We talk about the challenges he faced along the way, the lessons he learned and the people who supported him. Ricky also looks back on winning three championships with the Okotoks Dawgs, the friendships he formed and the special connection he developed with the fans. Ricky has certainly made a lasting impact on the Dawgs organization and the Okotoks community—but Okotoks has made just as great an impact on him. What began as a place to pursue baseball has become home. As his playing career comes to an end, Ricky plans to remain in Canada, put down roots in Okotoks and hopefully help develop the next generation of players through coaching. This is a heartfelt conversation about baseball, sacrifice, family, community and finding a home far away from where your journey began.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Amedeo, the owner and executive chef behind Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant. Born in Calabria, Italy, Amedeo shares his journey from culinary school in Italy to working as an executive chef across Canada—and eventually building a family-run restaurant right here in Okotoks. We talk about the importance of family, the Italian tradition of gathering around the table, and how Amedeo’s has created a dining experience where every guest is treated like part of the family. Amedeo also shares how his children, Valentina and Corrado, have become equal partners in the business and why their passion and sense of ownership make the restaurant so special. Plus, we hear about their unique mobile wood-fired pizza oven, panini truck, catering services, and Amedeo’s desire to leave a lasting family legacy in the community. It’s a wonderful conversation about food, family, tradition and bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Okotoks.

Send us Fan Mail Are data centres a major economic opportunity for Alberta—or do the demands on electricity, water and local infrastructure outweigh the benefits? In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Jasona Rondeau to explore Alberta’s growing interest in attracting large-scale data centres. They discuss the potential for investment, jobs and economic diversification, while also examining concerns surrounding energy consumption, water use, noise, environmental impact and the pressure these developments could place on nearby communities. Jasona also helps explain how modern data centres operate, including closed-loop cooling systems, evolving technology and the trade-offs communities should consider before welcoming these projects. This is a balanced conversation about growth, responsibility and whether data centres truly make sense for Alberta. Episode title: Data Centres in Alberta: Are the Benefits Worth the Cost? with Jasona Rondeau

Send us Fan Mail       What happens when you sit down with a mayor who doesn't speak in political talking points? In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, I sit down with Mayor Craig Snodgrass for one of the most open and candid municipal conversations I've had. Craig has earned a reputation for saying exactly what he believes, and whether you agree with him or not, you always know where he stands. We dive into some of the biggest topics shaping High River today, including: The new aquatic centre and how the town made the project a reality.Why High River continues to attract new residents and businesses.The lessons learned from the devastating 2013 flood and how flood mitigation has transformed the community.High River's growing film industry and the economic opportunities it creates.The "Water Not Coal" movement and why protecting Alberta's Eastern Slopes has become such a passionate issue for Craig and many southern Albertans.What it takes to lead a community through both opportunity and controversy.Throughout the conversation, Craig answers every question directly, without dancing around the issues. It's a refreshing discussion about leadership, community building, transparency, and making decisions that will shape High River for decades to come. Whether you live in High River, Okotoks, or anywhere in Alberta, this episode offers valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities today. 🎙️ The Okotoks Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. If you enjoy these long-form community conversations, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who cares about the future of our towns.