Episodios

  • What’s Stopping New Homes, Who’s Stepping Up for the Homeless, and a Surprising Tool for Grief
    Oct 2 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About, the podcast that dives into the stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team take a closer look at housing, homelessness, healing, and hockey. Housing Hits a Wall Where’s all the housing we keep hearing about? Despite government incentives and cuts to red tape, new housing projects in Ontario — including here in Barrie — have slowed dramatically. The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) says housing starts are down an average of 40% across 34 municipalities it studied, and gave most of them a failing grade. Council President Richard Lyall sits down with Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan to explain why the industry has hit a wall, and what needs to change. Barrie Cares Steps Up on Homelessness The homelessness crisis in Barrie continues to grow, with encampments being torn down and residents asking what more can be done. Barrie Cares, a local grassroots organization, has been quietly working behind the scenes to help. Director Rowley Ramey joins Barrie 360’s Julius Hern to talk about how the group is trying to make a difference, where they’re focusing their efforts, and how the community can step up too. The Healing Power of the Wind Phone At Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, visitors might notice something unusual — a phone booth in the woods. It’s called the Wind Phone, and it offers a symbolic, powerful way for people to process grief and begin healing. Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan speaks with Nicole Hamley from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Lisa Snow from the Oasis Centre for Bereavement and Healing to learn more about this unique resource and the role it plays in emotional recovery. Barrie Colts Weekly Update The Barrie Colts are off to a 1-3 start this OHL season, including a tough shootout loss. They’re looking to bounce back this weekend. Colts broadcaster Gene Pereira joins Barrie 360’s Julius Hern with weekly updates on the team — the wins, the challenges, and what fans can look forward to as the season unfolds. Listen to the full episode now to hear these stories in detail. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast app, and don’t forget to rate and review. For more local stories, follow us on Bluesky and X at @Barrie360, or visit Barrie360.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 m
  • Life on the Streets in Barrie, A Legend in Orillia, and 15 Years of Hope
    Sep 25 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About — the podcast that dives into the local stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team are looking at homelessness in Barrie, celebrating the life and legacy of Gordon Lightfoot in Orillia, and marking 15 years of support from Gilda’s Club. Life Inside a Barrie Homeless Encampment Another homeless encampment in Barrie — this one on Bradford Street — was cleared out this week after eviction notices were issued. For some, that meant taking advantage of support services and temporary accommodations. For others, it meant moving on with no clear plan. Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan spoke with 58-year-old Bill, who had been living in the encampment before returning to the Salvation Army. He shared what life inside was really like, shining a light on the human side of this ongoing crisis. Orillia Prepares to Honour Gordon Lightfoot Orillia is getting ready to pay tribute to one of its most iconic residents — Gordon Lightfoot. The city will celebrate Lightfoot Days at the end of October, with events and music to honour the legendary singer-songwriter. Organizers Brian Hare and John Winchester stopped by to share with us how the celebration is coming together, and what fans can expect when the festival kicks off. 15 Years of Gilda’s Club Barrie Gilda’s Club Barrie has been offering care, compassion, and community for people living with cancer — and their families — for 15 years. To mark the milestone, the organization is looking back on its journey while raising funds to continue providing these vital services. Board member Penny Darragh and Sharon Smith from Connect Hair Studio joined Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan to talk about the Raw and Reflective calendar — an annual project that helps support Gilda’s important work. Catch the full conversations in this week’s episode of What Barrie’s Talking About. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app or listen at Barrie360.com. Don’t forget to rate, review, and share to help spread the word! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 m
  • Barrie’s Homelessness Emergency, Fall Forecast & A Night for Gamers
    Sep 18 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About — the podcast that digs into the stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team tackle everything from Barrie’s homelessness response, to local hockey and gaming culture, to a colourful campaign lighting up the city. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: The Chamber of Commerce Takes on Homelessness Following Mayor Alex Nuttall’s state of emergency declaration around Barrie’s homeless encampments, the Barrie Chamber of Commerce is stepping up. CEO Paul Markle says social issues are also business issues, and the Chamber is reaching out to the business community with a new survey. The goal? To better understand both the social and economic costs of homelessness and explore how businesses can be part of the solution. Looking Back at Summer, Ahead to Fall As the first day of fall arrives on Monday, we take stock of the summer that was — and get a sense of what the season ahead has in store for Barrie and beyond. Turning the Town Teal with Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Brothers Big Sisters is asking the community to Turn the Town Teal this month. The new campaign is all about raising awareness and support for the important mentoring work they do here in Barrie. Bre LeFeuvre from BBBS joins Barrie 360’s Julius Hern to share the details. The Barrie Junior Sharks Hit the Ice Strong The Barrie Junior Sharks women’s hockey team is off to a great start this season. We meet the coach and a couple of players to hear how the season is shaping up and what fans can expect from the team this year. Game On: After Dark Gamers, this one’s for you. Game On: After Dark is back at Five Points Theatre this weekend — a chance to connect with local gamers, meet special guests, and enjoy an evening dedicated to gaming culture. Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan chats with co-hosts Louise Jackson and Canadian rapper Infinite about what’s planned. Listen to the full episode now to hear these conversations and more. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast platform, or stream it anytime at Barrie360.com. For more local stories, follow us on Bluesky and X at @Barrie360. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 m
  • Emergency Declared, Big Police Changes, and a Party You Can’t Miss
    Sep 11 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About — the podcast that digs into the stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team cover everything from Barrie’s homelessness crisis, to policing in South Simcoe, to a celebration of Mexican culture right here at home. Mayor Nuttall Declares a State of Emergency With hundreds of people living in homeless encampments across Barrie, Mayor Alex Nuttall says the situation isn’t improving — and can’t be solved by the city alone. This week, he declared a state of emergency in hopes of unlocking new resources and support from other levels of government. He sits down with Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan to explain what the declaration means, how it works, and what he hopes the outcome will be. Meet South Simcoe Police’s New Deputy Chief The South Simcoe Police Service has welcomed a new Deputy Chief as it begins a review and update of its strategic plan. We get to know the new addition to the leadership team and hear what’s ahead for the service as it looks to the future. Celebrating Mexican Independence Day Get ready to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Barrie! This Sunday, Cocina Mexicana is hosting a fiesta at its Mulcaster Street restaurant and at Meridian Place downtown. Organizer Ricardo Sierra shares with Barrie 360’s Julius Hern what’s planned for the day — from food and music to community pride and tradition. Listen to the full episode now to hear these stories and conversations in detail. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to rate and review! For more local stories, follow us on Bluesky and X at @Barrie360, or visit Barrie360.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 m
  • Back to School, Bins, and the Holland Marsh
    Sep 4 2025
    What Barrie’s Talking About: Back to School, Bins, and the Holland Marsh Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About - the podcast that digs into the local stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team cover everything from back-to-school challenges to music education, garbage collection changes, and a big milestone for the Holland Marsh. Here’s what’s in this episode: Spotting and Stopping Bullying Back-to-school season is exciting for most kids — reuniting with old friends, making new ones, and settling into a routine. But for some, the start of school can be frightening if bullying is part of their experience. Dr. Tony Volk, Professor of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University, joins Barrie 360’s Ian Maclennan to explain why it’s so important to stop bullying early, the signs parents should watch for, and the best ways to support children who may be struggling. Rolling Out the New Bins If you’ve been staring at those new rolling garbage and green bins sitting outside your house all summer, you can finally put them to use. Starting next week, Barrie’s new waste collection system kicks in. To make sure we’re all ready, Stephanie Mack, Associate Director of Waste Management for the City of Barrie, gives us a refresher on what’s changing, why the city made the switch, and how residents can make the transition smooth. Bringing Music Back to Kids Music programs were once a staple in Ontario schools, but many have disappeared thanks to budget cuts. That’s a loss not only for kids’ creativity but for their overall development. Enter Oliver Balaburski, founder of the Maestro Music Centre in Barrie. He chats with Barrie 360’s Julius Hern about the benefits of music education and how his centre is working to fill the gap for local students. Celebrating 100 Years of the Holland Marsh Bradford West Gwillimbury is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Holland Marsh in a unique way. From its history as Ontario’s “vegetable patch” to its cultural significance, the milestone will be marked with a community event you won’t want to miss. Last week, we dug deep into Barrie’s homelessness issue, talking to the mayor, the Busby Centre, and local police. One Barrie resident, Rowley Ramey, appreciated the coverage but wanted to hear more perspectives. He reached out, and we invited him in to share his thoughts. Remember - you can always send your feedback, too. Email us anytime at newsroom@barrie360.com. Listen to the full episode now for all of these stories and conversations. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to rate and review! Stay connected with us on Bluesky and X at @Barrie360, or visit Barrie360.com for even more local news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 m
  • Homelessness, Encampments & Policing Downtown
    Aug 28 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About - the podcast that digs into the local stories shaping our community. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team take a hard look at homelessness, encampments, and what’s being done to address them in Barrie. Barrie’s Homelessness Crisis Like many cities across Ontario, Barrie is grappling with a growing homelessness crisis. The issue has come to the forefront this summer after the deaths of two men at an encampment, followed by a new camp forming outside the courthouse downtown. Mayor Alex Nuttall joins Ian Maclennan to discuss what the city is doing now, what it wants to do next, and the challenges in finding solutions that work. The Busby Centre’s Perspective Across the street from Barrie’s City Hall sits the David Busby Centre, where staff see the reality of homelessness every day. Executive Director Sara Peddle shares her perspective on the courthouse encampment, what support is being provided, and why finding lasting solutions isn’t simple. Downtown Policing Initiative Barrie Police have been testing a new initiative downtown this summer aimed at improving safety and reducing issues connected to homelessness. While no one expects a quick fix, there have been some encouraging signs of success. We get the details on what’s working so far. Listen to the full episode now to hear these important conversations. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to rate and review. For more local stories, follow us on Bluesky and X at @Barrie360, or visit Barrie360.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 m
  • Tariffs, Triumphs & Truck Pulls
    Aug 21 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About — the podcast that dives into the stories shaping Barrie and Simcoe County. This week, host Dan Blakeley and the Barrie 360 team cover everything from international trade to championship soccer to a charity event that’s all about muscle power. Here’s what’s on tap in this episode: Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Barrie Businesses The recently announced 35% tariffs from the Trump administration haven’t hit Canada too hard just yet — but experts say it’s only a matter of time. Paul Markle, CEO of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, joins the show to break it all down. He explains which local businesses could be hit hardest, why he thinks Barrie can weather the storm, and the creative ways companies can work around the challenges. Rovers Women’s Team Makes History The Simcoe County Rovers women’s team just made history as the first Ontario team to win the League 1 Canada championship. Coach Zack Wilson sits down with Barrie 360’s Julius Hern to reflect on the team’s incredible season — from their biggest challenges, to their celebration, to what’s next for the club. Pulling for a Cause at Georgian College It’s not every day you get the chance to haul a tractor trailer with your bare hands. But at Georgian College, that’s exactly what teams will be doing to raise funds for ALS Canada. We hear from Rachel Curran of ALS Canada and Tony Mangillo, captain of the “No Ordinary Joe’s” team, about why this fundraiser matters, how it works, and how you can get involved — or at least cheer on the brave souls doing the pulling. Listen to the full episode now for the complete conversations and insights. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast app, and don’t forget to rate and review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 m
  • Backpacks, Beaches & Boots and Hearts
    Aug 14 2025
    Welcome back to What Barrie’s Talking About — your weekly podcast from Barrie 360 that brings you the stories shaping our community. Host Dan Blakeley and the team dive into what’s making headlines right here in our backyard. Here’s what’s in this week’s episode: Lending a Hand for Back-to-School With summer winding down, the back-to-school rush is here — and for some parents, it’s a financial juggling act. From school supplies to backpacks, the costs add up quickly. In Collingwood, one woman is stepping up to help local kids start the year off right. Her backpack drive is making sure students have what they need — and you might be able to pitch in too. Selling Part of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park? The provincial government has floated a plan to sell a portion of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the Town of Wasaga Beach. While the public comment period has closed, the idea has sparked backlash from environmental groups. We speak with Tim Grey, Executive Director of Environmental Defence, about why this proposal raises alarm bells — from threats to wildlife to the broader issue of turning public lands over to private hands. Boots and Hearts: Spotlight on Sully Burrows Another Boots and Hearts Music Festival is in the books, and this year’s event at Burl’s Creek brought together some of country music’s biggest names — plus a few homegrown talents. Barrie 360’s Julius Hern caught up with Sully Burrows, a rising artist from Parry Sound, to talk about his festival experience, his music journey, and what’s next for him. Listen to the full episode now and get the stories that matter to Barrie — and beyond. Subscribe to What Barrie’s Talking About on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to rate and review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 m