The Advocate Podcast – Stories from Kawartha Lakes

Almost immediately upon entering its present headquarters, Ryan Oliver, knew he’d soon need more space for the constantly growing STEAM education centre, Pinnguaq. It took a few years, but Oliver, Pinnguaq’s CEO, found it – steps away from his home in Lindsay. He tours us through the soon-to-be three-storey headquarters of this national success story, which delivers digital training to youth and adults. Oliver expounds on the renovations, but also on the vision this building’s overhaul will help achieve for Kawartha Lakes and beyond. We hear lots about the ups and downs of the real estate market – on a national level. But how much of that applies locally? We seek the wisdom of local realtor Chelsea Boyd for the answers. Baseball – and specifically the Jays – has long been special to Sandi Gauder. But it was especially comforting these past three years. She tells us why, leading up to the team’s season opener. Who doesn’t want to increase their word power? Cuz words are good and stuff. And Lyndsay Heffernan of the KLPL has a good one. So good, in fact, that’s it's Well-Defined. (Hey! That's also the name of one of our show's most popular segments!) And we bid a fond farewell to.....

There’s been a lot of water cooler talk – (and talk beyond water coolers) – about workplace romances, lately. A certain Toronto mayor (actually, now former mayor) helped inspire those conversations. What are – and what could be – the legal ramifications of workplace relationships? What rules, if any, can an employer use when it comes to relationships in the workplace? Lawyer Calvin Chan, of Wards Lawyers, explains in this special bonus episode.

Cindy Snider says it’s not that unlike what NHL teams do to attract free agents. But her wooing work with the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative is all about recruiting much-needed family physicians to the C of KL. Walt Radda’s cartoons bring smiles and laughter to many, including readers of The Advocate Magazine. And his art also recently earned him a province-wide award. Reaboro residents for years loved retrieving their mail from their nearest post office – inside a neighbour’s house. But that came to an end, recently. Marnie Callaghan shares what this means to her and her Reaboro neighbours. And we’ve got music from great local band, Looking for Heather – whose members are looking to you to help them play an esteemed music festival this summer. We’ll tell you how. Hint: It’s super-easy and quick and free!

It’s our third anniversary! And we’re rolling with another great episode. And speaking of rolling....The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is hoping a dozen or so bicycles will roll into town this Spring as a new bike share program. Chamber executive director Allyssa Adams tells us what it’ll take to make that two-wheel dream come true. Our city's artists create art. Wonderful art. But selling that art can often be a challenge for any artist. So the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is holding a self-promotion and marketing workshop to help artists get their art to market – their market. KLAC’s new marketing manager, Tim Crouch, tells us what attendees can expect – and explains the unique relationship between art and business. Hey, maybe it’s much more than just an older home or building. Maybe it’s rich with history and heritage. And it needs to be protected. Emily Turner, with the City’s heritage planning department, debunks a few myths about heritage designation and expounds on our past’s importance to our community’s present and future.

Behind the poise, confidence and omnipresent, constant contributions to his community, Jason Ward was hurting. And hiding. In this special episode, he opens up, for the first time with local media, about his struggles with mental health and addiction – and how, for years, he managed to conceal his pain from friends and even loved ones. Until he couldn’t.  The now-retired lawyer also shares what his road to recovery looks like, and how his long-standing, commitment to “giving back,” – which includes sharing this deeply personal chapter of his life - has not waned.