Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast VIBE Okanagan

Ray Brown speaks with Rhona Stanislaus and Shannan Roberts, co-owners of Prep Academy Tutors of Interior BC, about how a friendship of more than 25 years became a business partnership. They share why they chose a franchise model and how they match students with the right tutor. They also explain why tutoring is a tool for confidence, not just catching up. They also discuss entrepreneurship, giving back through volunteering and board service, and how screen time, anxiety, AI and post-pandemic learning gaps are changing education for families across Kelowna, West Kelowna and the Interior. Prep Academy Tutors is hiring teachers, soon-to-be teachers and retired teachers. Find them by entering your postal code on their website. Sign up for our newsletter at vibeokgn.com for more Okanagan stories. Timestamps: (00:00) Introductions and how the partnership began (01:05) Friendship, trust and shared values in business (03:14) Correcting the record on where Prep Academy Tutors launched in BC (04:31) Why a franchise instead of starting from scratch (06:52) Serving the Okanagan first, then the wider Interior (08:38) Certified teachers, specialized support and test prep (09:43) Tutoring isn’t just for students who are behind (12:26) One-on-one, small group, in-home and online options (14:00) The 7 a.m. tutoring story (15:34) Different backgrounds and dividing responsibilities (17:07) Can entrepreneurship be taught? (19:07) How a finance background shapes the business (20:51) Learning gaps, classrooms, screens and AI (24:33) Why human connection still matters (25:52) Kindergarten through university and adult learners (27:16) Community involvement and volunteering (31:26) What parents say they need most (33:30) Tutoring as a proactive tool (35:44) The 3-to-5-year vision (38:22) Growth, diverse learners and Interior expansion (40:36) Small-group tutoring for athletes (42:31) Now hiring teachers (43:08) How to connect by postal code (44:12) Closing thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Desrosiers is the [Party] candidate in [Riding] in the 2026 BC provincial election. In this VIBE Okanagan conversation, Ray Brown asks Bill about the biggest issues facing the riding. They cover health care and doctor shortages, housing affordability, addiction and involuntary care, and wildfire and water security. They also discuss Highway 97 congestion, the snap election, and how he’d deliver for the Okanagan in Victoria. Election day is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate information and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saoirse MacKinnon is the BC Green Party candidate in Kelowna Mission in the 2026 BC provincial election. In this VIBE Okanagan conversation, Ray Brown asks Saoirse about the biggest issues facing the riding. They cover health care and doctor shortages, housing affordability, addiction and involuntary care, and wildfire and water security. They also discuss Highway 97 congestion, the snap election, and how she’d deliver for the Okanagan in Victoria. Election day is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate information and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tricia Brett has been re-elected to Lake Country Council, representing Okanagan Centre for a second term. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Tricia about how it feels to win and who she thanked first. They also discuss what she’ll focus on in her first 100 days, what her first term taught her, and how Lake Country residents can reach her and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the BC provincial election on October 24, Kelowna entrepreneur Anthony Russo goes through the Okanagan’s MLA candidates one by one, and he doesn’t hold back. Russo owns several automotive companies and co-founded Western Charter House, a policy think tank that began by pushing back on BC’s autism funding restrictions. He shares his frank view of who he thinks is ready to represent the valley in Victoria, who he thinks isn’t, and why, drawing on candidates’ records and public statements. Full disclosure: Anthony is OneBC’s Regional Director for the Central Okanagan and campaign manager for Alexandra Wright, OneBC’s candidate in Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream. The opinions in this episode are his own. Host Ray Brown stays neutral throughout, and VIBE Okanagan does not endorse any candidate or party. Every Okanagan MLA candidate is welcome to tell their own story on the VIBE Okanagan Podcast. Book your interview at vibeokgn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelowna-born business leader and former Okanagan College associate dean Laura Thurnheer has been elected to Kelowna City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Laura about how it feels to win and who she thanked first. They also discuss what she’ll focus on in her first 100 days, and how Kelowna residents can reach her and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: https://vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Born and raised in Oliver, Warren Brown is a local business owner and tradesperson who has served with Oliver Fire, BC Ambulance and Search and Rescue. Now he’s been elected to Oliver Town Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Warren about how it feels to win and who he thanked first. They also discuss what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, and how Oliver residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: https://vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ray Baylis has been elected to Armstrong City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Ray about how it feels to win and who he thanked first. They also discuss what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, and how Armstrong residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four years ago, Tom Groat missed a seat on West Kelowna City Council by a single vote. This time, he’s on council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Tom, a retired educator, coach and neighbourhood association leader, about how it feels to win and what made him run again after that one-vote loss. They also discuss what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, with campaign priorities that include emergency care on the Westside, Bennett Bridge congestion and water security. Tom also shares how residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barry Doval has been elected to Vernon City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Barry about how it feels to win and who he thanked first. They also cover what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, and how Vernon residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indy Dhial is the founder and CEO of TGP Kids Early Learning Centres and has lived in Kelowna for more than 40 years. He’s running for Kelowna City Council for the second time. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Indy what’s different since his 2022 run, and asks about figures in his 2022 campaign finance filing. They also discuss his proposed centralized intake system for homelessness and addiction, his position on the supervised consumption site, and how he’d balance the public-safety levy with tax pressures. Other topics include childcare and potential conflicts with his own business, why he’d prioritize a new transit operations centre, and his plan to attract aerospace, tech and agtech jobs. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chartered professional accountant Todd Sanderson has led the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Kelowna Association and the Uptown Rutland Business Association. He’s running for Kelowna City Council on a platform of transparency and financial accountability. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Todd how he’d stay independent of the business groups he’s led and what he’d do to rebuild public trust. They also discuss his proposed “Effectiveness & Efficiency” review and his goal of keeping tax increases at or below inflation. Other topics include his position on the supervised consumption site, making housing-fee savings reach buyers and renters, Highway 97 transit and the Clement Avenue extension, and why he chose not to use campaign signs. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teresa May is a longtime Kelowna resident with a career in residential construction, small business, teaching and writing. She’s running for Kelowna City Council for the first time. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Teresa what she heard on her “1,000 Conversations Tour” and how a first-time councillor gets up to speed on a $1.1 billion budget. They also discuss her approach to community safety partnerships, the supervised consumption site, and balancing new housing with established neighbourhoods. Other topics include her priorities for seniors and families, and which capital projects she’d take a second look at. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Cannan is a Kelowna city councillor and former three-term Conservative MP for Kelowna–Lake Country. He’s challenging incumbent Tom Dyas for mayor. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Ron why voters should choose his decades of experience over the mayor’s record, and asks him to explain his votes against all four budgets this term. They also discuss his proposed core review of city spending, his “campus of care” model for homelessness and addiction, and his plan to put infrastructure ahead of growth. Other topics include transparency at City Hall, criticism of his past comments, and how he’d lead a divided council. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Video game developer and Okanagan College instructor Trevor McAleese was the first candidate to announce a run for Kelowna City Council in 2026. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Trevor about his criticism of the current council and how he’d work with colleagues he’s called out. They also discuss how his 2025 federal NDP run would shape his votes on a non-partisan council, and what council can do about the Transdev transit contract. Other topics include the security concerns around the supervised consumption site. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commercial real estate broker, property-tax advisor and former Terrace city councillor Tim Down is running for Kelowna City Council on a “Better Value” platform. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Tim to apply his Better Value Test to a real council decision, and whether his 15-day development approval concierge is realistic. They also cover his “managed misery” critique of the homelessness response, where the supervised consumption site should go, and leasing city land for affordable housing. Other topics include Highway 97 and the Clement Avenue Extension, and how he’d handle conflicts of interest given his real estate work. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former track athlete and longtime tourism operator Silverado Socrates has run federally and for mayor. Now she’s running for Kelowna City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Silverado what’s different about this campaign and what her own experience with homelessness says about the city’s approach. They also discuss what “investing more in peace than police” would mean in practice, and whether she still believes Kelowna doesn’t need to build more housing. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contractor, former geriatric-care nurse and artist Rob Wilkinson is running for Kelowna City Council as part of the BRACE for Change slate. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Rob how his varied background would shape his work on council, and whether he’d vote with his slate. They also talk about what more voters should be able to see from City Hall and which development barriers he’d remove. Other topics include what council can do about repeat offenders, what’s missing for seniors, protecting farmland, and where he’d look for savings in the budget. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our election newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maxine DeHart has served on Kelowna City Council since 2011 and is seeking a fifth term. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Maxine what’s still unfinished after 15 years on council, and about her 2024 vote on council pay. They also discuss how she handles conflicts of interest connected to her hotel role, and where she stands on the future of policing in Kelowna. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Thurnheer is a Kelowna-born business leader, former Okanagan College associate dean, and current Chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce. She’s running for Kelowna City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Laura how she’d balance her leadership roles with council, and what’s still undone from the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime and Safety. They also discuss how Kelowna would pay for a performing arts centre and convention centre, and how much the city should disclose about major public contracts. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Kraft is the elected RDCO Director for Central Okanagan East, a farmer and former firefighter, running for Kelowna City Council for the first time. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Kevin what happens to his regional district role if he’s elected, and whether infill housing alone can meet Kelowna’s housing targets. They also discuss where involuntary care should be located and when council should be willing to say no to the Province. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Longtime Kelowna businessman JC Rathwell is running for council on the BRACE for Change slate, with a campaign built largely on AI-generated videos. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks JC about his use of AI and an AI avatar in his campaign, and whether he’d vote with his slate. They also cover how he’d represent residents who disagree with him and what council can actually do about crime. Other topics include where he’d cut spending, his support for tiny homes and secondary suites, and his plan to ease Highway 97 congestion. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Humberto Morales is a financial advisor, entrepreneur and 25-year Kelowna resident running for council as part of the BRACE for Change slate. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Humberto whether he’d vote with his slate or independently, and how he’d handle short-term rental issues as an STR owner. They also talk about his own home break-in and what council can do about repeat offenders, and his proposals for housing and treatment for people experiencing homelessness. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journeyman carpenter and mechanical engineering technician Glendon Smedley has run for mayor of Kelowna twice. This time, he’s running for council. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown asks Glendon why he’s switched races and how his experience building work camps could apply to homelessness in Kelowna. They also discuss his push for a third lane into the city and a cantilevered sidewalk on the bridge, and his plans to expand fire capacity, including high-rise rescue and lake-based fire suppression. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Fraser has served four terms as a school trustee with Central Okanagan Public Schools (SD23) and currently chairs the board. Now she’s running for Kelowna City Council for the first time. In this VIBE Okanagan candidate interview, Ray Brown talks with Julia about why she’s moving from the school board to City Hall and what happens to her trustee seat if she’s elected. They also cover how her experience balancing the SD23 budget would carry over to Kelowna’s $1.1 billion budget, and where she stands on property taxes and development cost charges. Other topics include the supervised consumption site renewal, homelessness prevention, transportation priorities including the Clement Avenue/Crosstown Connector, public consultation, and how she’d handle divisive issues at the council table. General voting day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate profiles, interviews, and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our election newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices