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This Episode Features:

(28:42) Sylvia Campbell, co-founder of North Island Wildlife Recovery Center in Errington, shares the incredible 40-year journey that began on Christmas Day 1983 with rescuing a great horned owl. The Vancouver Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Center now helps 700 animals annually with 100 volunteers, addressing the reality that 90% of wildlife injuries result from human interaction. Campbell emphasizes their crucial educational mission for Vancouver Island communities.

(11:14) Connor LaCouvee, professional goaltender from Qualicum Beach, discusses his impressive career spanning junior hockey, college, AHL, ECHL, and European leagues. The Vancouver Island native shares invaluable advice for hockey parents, emphasizing that supporting young athletes without pressure protects family relationships while fostering genuine athletic development. LaCouvee operates his own goaltending school across multiple locations.

Episode Highlights & Quotes

"Your kid will ultimately end up where they should be. Guidance is great, but no amount of pressure or telling your kid is gonna help them. They need to do this on their own... That's a hundred times more important than your kid's hockey career." - Connor LaCouvee, Professional Goaltender

"I want people just to go away from here and be really aware that they are part of wildlife. And that we need to be stewards of it." - Sylvia Campbell, North Island Wildlife Recovery Center

Community Stories That Inspire

Both featured stories highlight how Vancouver Island residents can create extraordinary impact through dedication and community support. Whether through wildlife rehabilitation or youth sports mentorship, these examples demonstrate the power of passionate individuals making lasting differences in their communities.

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Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Ian Lindsay & Associates, Fireside Books, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Parksville Beach Festival.

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This PULSE podcast episode celebrates Vancouver Island's incredible artistic talent. Featuring blues musician Brandon Isaac ("Yukon Slim") discussing his latest album "Walking with the Blues" after 37 years of touring, plus Qualicum First Nation artist Jesse Recalma sharing insights into traditional Coast Salish art and his stunning Qualicum Beach waterfront totem pole installation.

(09:26) Vancouver Island blues music takes center stage as Brandon Isaac discusses his latest album "Walking with the Blues" and reflects on 37 years of touring including 13 European tours and performances across China. The Juno-nominated artist shares insights about maintaining traditional blues authenticity while connecting with modern audiences, emphasizing why he considers blues music a celebration of life rather than depression.

(32:58) Indigenous Coast Salish art comes alive through Jesse Recalma's passionate discussion of traditional carving techniques and contemporary applications. The self-taught artist reveals the philosophy behind his work, including his spectacular metal totem pole installation at Qualicum Beach waterfront and his upcoming paddle carving demonstration at the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere's 10 Amazing Places Project.

Episode Highlights

"'Walking with the Blues' is just really about my journey of music... For the last 37 years, I've been walking this journey with the blues. Not saying I've been depressed for 37 years—some people think the blues is a depressing thing. It's not. It's a celebration of life." - Brandon Isaac

"I was told before that a tree's been sitting there for 500, 600 years, has had a lot of time to think about what it wants to be. So you're just helping it now." - Jesse Recalma

Upcoming Vancouver Island Arts Events

Brandon Isaac Performance: Parksville Museum concert series, Thursday, July 24th. Jesse Recalma Live Carving: Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere's 10 Amazing Places Project at McMillan Art Center, weekend of July 19th. Beach Fest Rocks: August 8-10, Parksville Community Park. Village Sidewalk Music: Qualicum Beach, Saturdays.

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You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca.

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Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Parksville Beach Festival.

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(10:39) Clinton Nellist, local podcaster and graduate of Qualicum Secondary School, discusses his TELUS StoryHive-funded project "Branches Between Generations." This innovative Vancouver Island podcasting initiative pairs students with seniors at Berwick Parksville to create intergenerational dialogue content, addressing the gap in family-friendly programming that speaks to multiple generations simultaneously.

(29:54) Margot Holmes, CEO of Vancouver Island Symphony, explains how their Summer Sizzle Festival brings classical music directly to Vancouver Island communities through backyard concerts and winery performances. Holmes discusses how these intimate Vancouver Island Symphony concerts attract first-time classical music audiences by creating casual, approachable experiences just feet away from world-class musicians.

Throughout the episode, discover upcoming Mid Vancouver Island events including Parksville Beach Festival, Coombs Fair, and Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region art exhibitions, highlighting the vibrant cultural landscape connecting Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and surrounding communities.

Episode Highlights & Quotes

"What they'll get is an opportunity to meet musicians up close. Musicians talk about the music, they talk about themselves... it's not something stuffy in any way. We're not even serious in any way." - Margot Holmes, Vancouver Island Symphony CEO

"The biggest piece—and I know it sounds cheesy—I want people to call their grandma after this. I want people to pick up the phone and have a conversation with either their own relatives or people in their own network." - Clinton Nellist

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca.

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Oceanside Cweed, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Ian Lindsay & Associates & Parksville Beachfest.

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts, as well at SkookumKids.com.

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