Islanders - this is a podcast for you. Life on Vancouver Island isn’t all sunset strolls and forest bathing - it can be frustrating, isolating, and expensive. We're going to talk about the good, the bad, and everything in between. Hosted by Kathryn Marlow, every Thursday.
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Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island is a presentation of 4VI (formerly known as Tourism Vancouver Island), a social enterprise in business to ensure travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island - forever. From its breathtaking vistas to the inspiring talents of its people, Vancouver Island is the definition of a “must-see” destination. In the first season, Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island, 4VI showcases the talents of Indigenous entrepreneurs and their stories of how they have foun ...
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Testing the flying ferry: take a ride on an electric ferry that could serve island communities
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19:31There is a new-to-B.C. ferry that two companies are testing here: it’s an all-electric passenger ship that could sail on commuter routes, or even between the island and the mainland. CBC Victoria’s Gregor Craigie got to ride on one, and he joins us to tell us how it works, how likely it is that it will enter regular service here - and why they call…
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New in town: This doctor is ditching the U.S. for the Island
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17:45We need more nurses and doctors, and they could be on their way. In this episode we hear from a doctor who is quitting his practice in Colorado to start at a new clinic in Colwood, and a nurse in Texas who is considering a move to Nanaimo. We’ll ask what’s enticing them to come north, and hear about some of the ways the provincial government is try…
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Is it a punishment to be on B.C.’s housing targets list?
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20:20Langford is upset it’s on the province's latest housing targets list, calling it “unfair.” But on the other side, the housing minister says it’s just about making sure everyone is on the same page - even the places that are already building a lot of new homes. On this episode, we hear from mayor Scott Goodmanson and minister Ravi Kahlon about what …
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It’s pride season! How are islanders celebrating?
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23:13What do baseball games, river floats, parades, and Schitt’s Creek trivia have in common? They’re all things you can do to celebrate pride on the island this summer! On this episode we talk about what pride is like in island communities, and about celebrating queer joy, honouring history, and fighting for future freedoms. The first of nearly 20 prid…
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Why a trip to the north island can be better than Tofino
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16:31We love Tofino, but it’s not the only part of the island that’s worth a vacation! If you’re planning to stay local this summer, why not check out a less famous place - like the north island? In this episode, Indigenous tourism operator Mike Willie makes the case for his home territory. He talks about what you can see when you head out from Port McN…
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Why handyDART users are frustrated in Greater Victoria
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14:50People who use handyDART in Greater Victoria say it’s getting harder and harder to book the rides they need, and they were hearing from staff it was because of service reductions. BC Transit says there have been no cuts - but users are still hitting roadblocks. We try to figure out why. HandyDART is public transit for people who can’t use the conve…
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The Island’s electoral map changed almost completely. What happened?
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20:54For the past decade islanders have only elected NDP and Green members of parliament. But in the next federal government, the island will be represented by 3 Conservative MPs, 2 Liberals, 1 NDP and 1 Green. On this episode we look at what’s behind the shift, and hear from some of the election winners: Tamara Kronis, Aaron Gunn, Will Greaves, Stephan…
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How seaweed could be the new plastic
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12:05You’re likely getting used to seeing alternatives to plastic: cloth bags, paper straws, wooden utensils. But in this week’s episode we’ll hear about a B.C. group looking to make plastic out of seaweed, for use in the agriculture industry. Want to hear more about the emerging seaweed industry on the island? Check out another column from Imaginative …
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Why some islanders can't decide how to vote
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17:11The federal election is less than two weeks away, but many voters on the island are struggling to decide how to vote. For some it’s down to Liberal versus Conservative, for others NDP versus Liberal, for some it’s still a total toss up. We’ll hear from folks in Esquimalt, Campbell River, Ucluelet, and more about what issues have them stuck.…
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The latest on the Greater Victoria school board drama
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14:46The school board and the B.C. ministry of education were at odds for six months, until the province fired the elected trustees in January. Now the newly-appointed trustee is getting down to business, and the old trustees are going to court in hopes of getting their jobs back. We recap the SD61 drama, hear the latest on the safety plan and police in…
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Why some people feel unsafe in the Cowichan Valley
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17:16It’s not just big cities where public safety is a concern. In the Cowichan Valley, for example, there’s an area surrounding the Trans-Canada Highway where some residents and business owners say crime, drug use, and street disorder mean they don’t feel safe in their own community. It’s in the region’s urban core, where North Cowichan, Duncan, and Co…
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This shop owner says it’s harder than you think to ditch U.S. products
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9:23A Victoria small business owner just got her first tariff bill. But even with the $1200 hit, she’s reluctant to stop importing products from her customers in the U.S. She says she’s worked hard to fill her shop with quality goods made by small businesses she believes in - and while many of those are Canadian, some happen to be in the United States.…
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Island Crime: a true crime podcast focused right here on the island
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19:57This month marks the 34 years since 4-year-old Michael Dunahee disappeared from a Victoria playground. It’s arguably the most well-known missing person case from the island, but it’s far from the only one. Laura Palmer produces “Island Crime,” a podcast that investigates true crime from our region, and she’s our guest this week. We talk about some …
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Sure, you know about the seafood. But did you know islanders make things like crackers? And mattresses? With everyone’s attention on “buy BC” and “buy Canadian,” we thought we’d zoom in even more and talk about how to “buy island.” We check in with two people who focus on island-made goods.
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You elected them: now what are your island MLAs doing?
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18:05The B.C. Legislature is in session again for the first time in 9 months. We hear from some island MLAs, new and old, to hear what they’re up to so far - and what they think should happen next. They talk about changes to forestry and health care, and ways to make it easier to buy Canadian.
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Bike theft is down in Victoria: here’s why
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15:06Bike theft has long been a concern of cyclists in Victoria, but new data shows there are fewer reasons to worry: 2024 saw the fewest reported stolen bikes in over a decade. On this episode, we look into why the number is dropping - and if cyclists feel more comfortable leaving their bikes downtown now. Plus: how to choose a good bike lock.…
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Why ferries can fill up with reservations (leaving you to wait multiple sailings)
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16:59How is it that you can show up to the ferry terminal, not see many cars, but still have to wait multiple sailings? We hear how (and why) B.C. Ferries is allotting more and more space for drivers with reservations. Plus: why isn’t there a buffet on ferries anymore? And what’s replacing it? And a few other ferry-related tidbits.…
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Need a new place to eat? Check out these island restaurants
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17:54A Mexican restaurant between two gas stations? A hole-in-the-wall you might have walked right by? Food blogger Sarah Au-Yeung (@NanaimoNoms) joins us to shout out some of her favourite restaurants in Nanaimo and beyond. If you’re looking to have a little escape with a meal out, “Dine About Mid-Vancouver Island” and “Dine Around Greater Victoria” ar…
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What is the Crystal Pool referendum all about?
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17:03On February 8, Victoria residents will decide whether the city can borrow up to $168.9 million to build a new Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre. They can also weigh in on which of two locations they'd prefer: on the site of the existing pool, or right beside it. Because Greater Victoria residents often cross municipal boundaries to use pools, the res…
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The birth of the Victoria Queer Run Club, and how it could inspire you
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10:35The Victoria Queer Run Club launched in the summer of 2024 with two runners. Six months later, it has three regular run groups and a budding community. We hear how it started, and learn how anyone could be inspired to start their own community group - running or otherwise.
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Rise in violent incidents taking toll on understaffed Victoria libraries
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13:12An investigation by CBC Victoria’s Emily Fagan found a rise in violent, threatening incidents facing staff at Greater Victoria Libraries. While it makes up a percentage of overall library visits, it is contributing to burnout and fatigue amongst library staff. She tells us about it.
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A look at what did - and didn't - burn at Telegraph Cove
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8:55News broke on New Year's Eve that the historic boardwalk and buildings at Telegraph Cove, on the north island, were burning. The photos were dramatic, and made it easy to assume the village was gone. But the people there want you to know: it didn't all burn! On this episode, we hear about what was lost, what remains, and what the future holds for T…
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A 35-year-long thank you and other wholesome moments of kindness
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14:09On this episode: three stories of island-based acts of kindness to make you feel warm and fuzzy, no matter what you are (or aren’t) celebrating this December.
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Hear B.C.'s new public safety minister respond to safety concerns in Nanaimo
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15:02A recent attack on a city worker in Nanaimo renewed calls for help from the provincial and federal governments. Concerned residents want action to tackle what they say are unsafe streets. We ask B.C.'s new public safety minister what he'll do to help.
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An island's quest to get rid of its deer
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15:35Mayne Island is the latest island facing deer troubles. In this episode we learn about what makes fallow deer such a challenge, why Mayne Islanders are asking for help, and what’s happening with the troubled efforts to remove invasive deer from Sidney Island.
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A new way to tell B.C. Ferries what you think? (And an end to Ferry Advisory Committees)
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14:19B.C. Ferries says it is ending the Ferry Advisory Committees. For over 30 years, they’ve been the way that 13 ferry-dependent communities could formally comment on the service they get, and request changes. But B.C. Ferries says it's time to modernize the way it engages with the public, and to open the door wider so more people can weigh in. We hea…
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Secrets of living with long power outages
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18:32With storm season underway, more than 150,000 BC Hydro customers in the Island region have already lost power at some point. So we head to a place where long outages are the norm in winter, to get some tips on how to deal with them. (Here’s a hint: the words “community” and “coffee” come up a lot.)
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Should we move to the island from Alberta?
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15:58Right now Grace and James Phelan live just outside of Edmonton. They're thinking of moving to Vancouver Island, but can't decide if life here would be better than life in Alberta. In this episode, we help them weigh the pros and cons.
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Could Langford and the West Shore separate from Greater Victoria?
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21:24As the communities of the West Shore continue to grow, would it make sense for them to quit being suburbs and instead form their own region apart from Greater Victoria? On this week's episode, we look at the pros and cons of working together as a capital region - and ask the existential question "is the West Shore part of Greater Victoria?"…
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We know rain is a fact of life here on the Island - but in the rainy season, it can still get you down. So on this episode of This is Vancouver Island, host Kathryn Marlow seeks inspiration from people who appreciate and rely on the rain. This episode originally aired February 6, 2024. We'll be back with a new episode next week.…
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Why the Island is a great place for ghost stories
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20:05Shanon Sinn loves ghost stories: for both the mystery, and the history, they provide. He researches and writes about ghost stories based right here on the Island, and joins the podcast to share a story, and talk about why he finds the island so eerie (in a good way).
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Let’s celebrate some of the island’s many authors
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16:36The island is full of authors of all kinds: poets, novelists, children’s and non-fiction writers, and more. Many of them were honoured with literary awards this fall - including Kathryn Mockler, Raina Delisle, Ian Kennedy, Jordan Scott, and the late Darrell J McLeod. On this episode, we ask a librarian to share some of her favourite local authors.…
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B.C. election day is October 19, though advanced polls are already open. This week, we take a look at where the major parties stand on some of the big issues.
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Another Victoria music venue is closing. Now what?
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13:22The Victoria Event Centre (V.E.C.) was a non-profit venue for music and arts for 21 years - but it just announced it's closing, after its landlord says it can no longer help subsidize its rent. It’s just the latest music venue to close in the city. On this episode, we’ll find out if the people behind the V.E.C. might pop up elsewhere, and we’ll get…
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Did you feel it? Why it helps researchers when you report earthquakes
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18:07Every time the earth shakes on the island, we flock to social media to see who else felt the tremor. But did you know you can also report your experience to Earthquakes Canada, to help with future research? Seismologist John Cassidy explains how researchers like him rely on such information. Plus: the latest on the earthquake warning system.…
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Candidates are vying for votes in 15 provincial ridings on the Island. In recent elections, voters in their 30s and 40s have been least likely to show up at the polls - so we ask three islanders in that age category why they vote, what turns them off certain candidates, and what helps them decide who to choose. Plus, VIU professor Paula Waatainen o…
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Kady Dandeneau reps Pender Island at the Paralympics
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10:38She may live in Spain, and be competing in Paris, but wheelchair basketball star Kady Dandeneau got her start on Pender Island, population 2773. She talks to Kathryn Marlow about going for gold at the Paralympics, why she loves the game, and what it was like learning to play on Pender.
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Catching up on Vic PD’s Pandora safety plan
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17:50The 900-block of Victoria’s Pandora Avenue is often in the news, but it can be hard to keep track of the actions taken (or not) to manage the block where people who are homeless often congregate, and camp. On August 13, the Victoria Police Department released its new safety plan for Pandora - a plan written after a paramedic was assaulted while pro…
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Canadians are buying less beer: a look at how craft breweries on the Island are adapting.
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15:52Some of Canada's first craft breweries are here on Vancouver Island - but business isn't booming quite like it used to. In fact, the latest statistics show that per capita beer purchases are the lowest they've ever been in Canada. So we meet up with the folks at two Victoria breweries - Spinnakers and Phillips - to learn how they're branching into …
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POD SHARE: Why does France like Saskatchewan's mustard so much?
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12:40Hey Vancouver Islanders! This week we're sharing an episode from one of our CBC local podcast friends, "Good Question Saskatchewan." Farmers in that province grow A LOT of mustard seed - and then ship it to France where it gets turned into the condiment you know and love. Why? Listen to find out.
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The best (and worst) of summer on the Island
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19:02It’s summer on the Island! A time for beaches and forests…and tourists and ferries. Three islanders join host Kathryn Marlow to talk about what they love (and hate) about Island summer, what’s on their summer fun list, and how to find your new favourite places away from everyone else.
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Victoria isn’t afraid of nitty-gritty, gender-bending drag
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17:58One of Canada's best-known drag queens, Jimbo, is based right here in Victoria. But the Victoria drag scene is more than just Jimbo. On this episode, local drag king Sylvester Stalletto talks about the differences between the glamour of Drag Race and the nitty-gritty of the Victoria drag scene. He also chats with producer Stevie Welland about what …
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We love the Island for its independent bookstores
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18:42When it comes to bookstores, islanders are beyond lucky. Our region has more independent bookstores than some entire provinces! In this episode, host Kathryn Marlow and her colleague Gregor Craigie dig into their love for bookstores, and share thoughts from the owners of Ivy's Bookshop in Oak Bay and Laughing Oyster Book Shop in Courtenay.…
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Women's sports are dominating, and they are here to stay
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18:23Carolyn Sutherland and Rhiannon Ware are athletes, entrepreneurs, and sports management students at Camosun College. They join Kathryn Marlow to talk about the current excitement over women’s sports (think PWHL and the WNBA), why the excitement needs to be more than just a moment, and the work they’re doing to help girls in greater Victoria develop…
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Would you put carrot slices on a bagel?
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14:02Vegans may be familiar with the idea of "carrot lox," but Aki Kaltenbach wants everyone to eat more plant-based seafood. She tells host Kathryn Marlow about her island-based company's carrot-based smoked salmon and jackfruit-based tuna - and her plans to expand into the U.S. market, while still keeping headquarters in greater Victoria.…
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How to recharge your soul in the Comox Valley
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14:27We talk about where to see live music in the Comox Valley, how you can watch it affordably, and why it’s worth getting off the couch to see something in person. Plus, why some local cultural organizations are lobbying for better public transit in the region.
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The cost of living on the island can leave you feeling stranded
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16:05Financial planner and millennial mom Courtney Castledine talks with host Kathryn Marlow about all the ways life has become less affordable - and jokes that if it weren't for the rising cost of one particular toddler-friendly food item, she might actually be able to retire.
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What would a dream music venue look like in Victoria?
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17:28Longtime music fans were thrilled recently when Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder shouted out a legendary Victoria music venue. Harpo's Cabaret closed in 1995, but fans still reminisce about shows they saw there. So what made Harpo's so special? And what would the ideal music venue look like in 2024? We ask local musician, and Seaside Music Festiv…
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What else is as iconic as London Drugs?
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15:46When London Drugs closed for a week due to a cyberattack, many of us realized what a unique role it plays in our lives. Where else could you get a vacuum, toothpaste, and (once upon a time) an Atari 2600? On this episode we talk London Drugs - and other iconic brands on the Island.
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Is the Sunshine Coast Trail too perfect?
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12:10Hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail can be a transformative experience for locals and visitors alike. Learn more about the multi-day journey, its history, and things you can expect to see along it.
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