Eat This! Drink That!

I think it has been a decade since Gil Penalosa and I last recorded a podcast. His work has had input and influence on over 300 cities globally so why does he make Toronto home? What makes Toronto (and Canada) great... and what are the opportunities we seem to be actively missing? Naturally, we talk about transportation, project management (and project mismanagement), tree canopy, play for children, and recreation for olders. Come along for a sweeping discussion on how we can do better.

In her comprehensive book on the Opioid crisis Reggie Caverson documents the origins, history, and impacts of this pain medication. Designed for end-of-life applications it got wide-spread adoption for other purposes. In a mere 5 or 6 days it could easily become addictive. More importantly she talks about the misguided prescription and misuse of Oxycontin. Caverson sounded the warning 25 years ago, but no one wanted to listen.It is not just playing out on the streets of Canadian cities, but also in homes and workplaces.Look for "Opioids: Burying the Truth One Person at a Time" by Reggie Caverson.

What is FerryShare? You can hear the passion in Ben's voice as he describes what he has built. He created this readily available app to make your life easier. You can reduce your cost to get to or from Vancouver Island (the Gulf Islands are being added as I write this) by using FerryShare. As a passenger you save; as a driver you too can save. One person in one vehicle is inefficient in so many ways. This is especially true during long weekends and the holiday season. Have a listen along while Ben explains his thought process and how you can benefit - not just now during a time of rising fuel costs - and how this lowers emissions.

Speaking from Milan Francesco (PhD in Urban Design & Master Planning) tells me it is already +30C in this spring day. Heat crises, non-permeable surfaces, the love of the automobile and so much more are going to have to be replaced by more livable environments. Bringing his learnings and practice in Asia he speaks about a favourite topic: "A Tree is Not a Pin". The landscape should shape the city and infrastructure not be an afterthought. Trees and green spaces need room and care. Go to his website and learn so much more. Read his book "Urban Nature is Not a Decoration"

May be "demand" is too strong a word, but I've just had a wonderful conversation with Urban Designer/Architect and mobility advocate Reena Mahajan. Her views are circulating and projects she has collaborated on are examining how we use the city. We discuss how different genders may be traversing areas, the impact of their agendas, and whether cars are even needed.There is a section when we talk about zones near schools and the effect of removing traffic from the adjacent street. If you want a better place to live for yourself and everyone around you you should participate, engage and yes, even demand change. Be involved in decision making!

What a treat! A chance not only to visit the Vancouver Art Gallery but to tour it with Diana Freundl. Diana is more than the Senior Curator at VAG. Working collaboratively she is preparing for a new exhibition. You will hear equipment and people working away to ready the space to accept the art and artifacts. Also school groups are actively engaging with the contents of this wonderful space. We start with the freshly prepared story of Emily Carr and pieces expressing the essence of Cascadia. The West Coast energy is present. It is attractive to residents of the city, the province of BC and Canada. Let's not forget the large numbers from Asia and Europe who also are captivated by the spirit.Come along and hear Diana describe the intent today and the aspirations for the future.

Come along to Tel Aviv today to listen to Naama Nicotra's brain wave. She looked at her recycling and garbage and realized much of it was food packaging; plastic everywhere. It was likely some of this - because it was in contact with the food - was also being ingested. She said we are wanting the contents of the package but not the packaging itself. But what if the packaging could dissolve... magically disappear. What could we learn from nature. NakedPak was just a concept and now its time has come; no petrochemicals. It does not steal from the food stream: it is not made from potatoes or corn. NakedPak imparts no flavour nor calories. Listen along and get ready for a revolution!

I've been wanting to have a conversation with Blaine Smith for years. A new opportunity created yet another reason to talk. Blaine is involved in a passion project called 363 York . This new venue not only features some amazing stages in automotive history, but also is a social club and opens the potential for an incredibly different meeting space. Come along an learn about this new and innovative space in car culture in Sudbury.

Okay, I'll admit to being early on this; but here is my special for New Year's 2026. My guest is David Shaw and we are having a dialogue about wellness. As a herbalist he builds custom blends "to each person's specific needs and health goals" and what better time to reset your life and find a path to wellness than NYE. Actually why wait? You could start even today. Listen along as we have a conversation that touches on David's education and what he can do for you, plus all the other services at Esquimalt's Errant Empire.

Stephen Hale kindly offered to continue our tour of the BC Aviation Museum. So here is Part Two. When you go do plan of 90 minutes or far more. There is so much to see, and yes accept a guide. They bring so much depth to the experience. From the earliest powered machines, to float planes for a new country that had no runways, this collection also has aircraft used for training in the Canadian Air Force, and artifacts from the Cold War. Don't neglect the big red Mars Hawaii and all the interactive opportunities. I especially loved walking through the Vicars Viscount as it was the vehicle for my first commercial trip across Canada. Memories!

The BC Aviation Museum is a real gem. There are so many planes all Tetris-ed into the current space. From float planes to rocket ships. Models too are part of the collection. But really it is the spirit of volunteerism that really gives the place life. President of the organization Stephen Hale was my host on this visit. The static displays come alive as he shares his passion for the artifacts. There is also a workshop where restorations are carried out... and don't forget to visit the Mars Hawaii on the apron!

Is it possible? Did I meet Rob Straughan 13 years ago? Rob is the GM of radio station 96.7FM... it goes by the call sign CKLU. This station has hosted the original "Eat This! Drink That!" which morphed in the current program. QOL now deals with all the many things that fall under the umbrella of Quality of Life. In this episode Rob and I reminisce on the early days of the radio station; its origins as a smaller closed-circuit system for the university campus, followed by applications for a broadcast signal. There is lots of laughter, but also some ambient sound that you may become aware of. Recorded on a very windy day the whistling and impact of a storm can be heard. I hope it wont impact you enjoyment too much.

I met Shelley Raymond almost 2 decades ago. She brought a presentation on the benefits of co-housing to an AGM of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and outlined how it works in other countries. She had already rolled out successful projects as a response to living in a house not an institution. It worked for her Dad and she felt it should be more widely adopted. Listen along as she describes her journey to build Solterra and roll it out in other central Ontario communities. Maybe now it is the time to explore this as a possibility for you... for us as a nation.

Coming from a variety of situations some dogs are in search of a place to call home... maybe even find their forever home. Alexa Marko and I met at a mining conference and renewed our contact when I was researching this topic. She has fostered 7 dogs for 6 or 7 weeks each and then Blue came along. They are now best friends. He contributes to Alexa's quality of life and vice versa. Listen along and see if you are perhaps a good fit for the organization... or maybe you just want to financially support Precious Paws.

I believe too often we blindly believe we will get between home and destination without incident. Hopefully, without a collision, with injury or death. Should we be willing to tolerate any loss of life? How we design our roads and how we can improve the existing network is what concerns specialist Kenn Beer. We have a conversation on what elements can be considered, how they can be implemented, and even about the future of driving, anywhere in the world, but specifically in Ontario and Northern Ontario.

The pleasure of having Lisa Lounsbury as a guest on this program over the years has been immeasurable. Known for her dynamic and sensitive delivery of material on Workplace Mental Health - and so many other topics - in this episode she talks about menopause. It is something all women will experience, and as women are 51% of the population, it is surprising how silent the world has been on what it means and how it is expressed. Come along and learn more from Lisa of New Day Wellness.

With a plan to go national Soap for Hope's Anne McIntyre started her project in Vic West. It was 11 years ago when she started the process of diverting valuable materials from landfill and redirecting to those who did not have access to hygiene products. Utilizing bathroom amenities from hotels the containers are filled with the same lotions, liquid soaps, conditioner, and supplemented with deodorant, razors, shaving foam... they restore dignity. They do a lot more including redistribution of hotel bedding - through agencies -to those in need. Have a listen and hear Anne's passion for this organization. Soap for Hope improves so many people's Quality of Life.

Care for you, an older adult, a family member, is essential after a hospital visit or just when you need a break. Maybe you have not had a vacation for a decade and worry about leaving your Mum alone? What do you do when you need a rapid response for even a short stay? Respite Request to the rescue. This conversation with Daniel McShane could just be something you store away in the back of your mind, or it could address a pressing need.

I've known Brett's parents for decades. Through photos and cards I heard of his arrival and seen him as a kid. Now he is the next generation Innkeeper of The Rossport Cabins. Off the Trans-Canada highway this hamlet has a gem of a restaurant that features local Lake Trout and a pillow for you to rest after a long day of driving this visually spectacular route. One of the features of the place are the trains; they pass right by. I just want to turn to the pages of Pierre Burton's "Last Spike" and listen for the nostalgic wail of the engine and rumble of the long line of cars as they cross the country.

The marvels of technology and overcoming time zone differences and Zoom connects we with amazing people.Come along for a conversation with Indian Landscape Architect Garima Dubey.Learn about her interest in how water moves, the value of courtyards, and the ways to reduce heat and humidity. Of course we talk about aesthetics and how people interact with the built environment too.