Explore every episode of the podcast Now For Someone Completely Interesting

Coach, boss, neighbor, and friend, I've known Ted Graling in one capacity or another for over 26 years.  Ted takes us through growing up in several small communities across the province eventually making St. Paul Home for over 30 years and counting.  We also talk in depth about the company he's been a big part of for over 20 years, Xtreme Oilfield.  A thoughtful and well spoken individual who is more than willing to shovel snow for someone in need and neglect his own sidewalk.  

How do you go from shooting left as a hockey player, to winning back to back World Long Drive Championships with right handed swing?  Jamie Sadlowski tells us how he managed that in this episode.  From playing Jr A hockey to wowing, not only golf fans, but pro golfers with his unique mechanics as a long driver.  Born and raised in St. Paul, Jamie has traveled the world and still calls St. Paul home where he's now raising his family.  He's also the reason I was on ESPN for 1.3 seconds!

Not your common profession.  Father Peter Haugen decided before he graduated high school that he was going to become a priest in the Ukranian Orthodox Church of Canada.  Since being ordained, Peter and his wife had a short stay on Vancouver Island before taking the position he has here in St Paul where he and his wife have made a home to raise their family.  Yes, in the Ukranian Orthodox Church, a priest can have a wife and kids!  Father Peter answers questions like that and more all on this episode!

Trevor Kotowich was that kid who always wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up.  And he did!  As the Chief of the St. Paul Fire Department for over 13 years, Trevor shares his story of how he got into the firefighting business and some of the challenges he's faced as a member and leader over his 35-year career.  A guest that's been long overdue for this podcast, Trevor brings a bit of humor and candidly shares some of the mental and physical health challenges that comes with a long career as a firefighter.  But probably the best part is one of his proudest moments that he experienced, just a few short weeks ago. Calm, cool and always a pleasure to talk to.

You may have heard his name mentioned in my other podcast, 2 Guys 1 Rant. Now we get to hear from Correspondent #3 himself!  Jeremy Blanchette, though quiet and reserved, is very passionate and active in our community.  From his involvement with the Rec Board, to his 10 year career as a volunteer firefighter with the St Paul Fire department.  We get the scoop on what motivates Jeremy to keep giving back to the community where he was born and raised!

Gladys has become a good friend over the last 10 years, but also a deep rooted member of our community over the last 25 years.  Learning about her career as a dietary technician, to meeting her husband, Duane to her journey into becoming a very talented potter, Gladys shapes a great story with a few side anecdotes that give us a glimpse into someone completely interesting! 

From having top "Street Cred" on the mean farm near Dewberry, to not fitting in at the mean schools of Edmonton, Lionel Romanchuk really only every wanted to work with horses.  His reprieve from city life came when he got a job as a teenager at the horse racetrack.  Eventually returning to his rural roots, Lionel live his childhood dream of riding the rodeo circuits.  A life that would give him skills in Saddle making and eventually developing a love for public speaking as the Voice of Haying In The 30s!  Plus a lot of fun stories in between that make him Someone completely intersting! 

When Bruce Foerester was 16, he was becoming a very good baseball player and had an opportunity to play with the best team in Albert, for summer ball.  There was one small problem.  League rules at the time didn't allow the team to draw from players living outside the Medicine Hat area.  His parents did the only logical thing.  They sold off their recently built home and business and moved down to accommodate the rules!  Bruce is not only a fantastic athlete, he's a phenomenal story teller who takes us through his early years growing up in St. Paul to playing ball throughout the US while earning and Undergraduate and Masters degree in Kinesiology.  Looking back fondly on his playing days, Bruce is still doing what he loves, coaching and strength training through his own gym down in Medicine Hat.  He also shares his appreciation for everyone who helped him in this Completely Interesting episode.

It's a tough job being a hockey referee.  From players and coaches to the fans, more often than not, most of your decisions are being criticized ... harshly.  So why do it for so long?  Danny Gadowski shares his reasons and how he arbitrarily decided he wanted to ref hockey!  Besides reffing, Danny is a regular with volunteering and taking part in a wide variety of sports and social events in the community.  Even though we've had our moments during various hockey games where we didn't see eye to eye, he's still a completely interesting guy!

My "little" cousin, Josee Joly, not only achieved her goal of becoming a nurse, but has gotten the opportunity to experience that profession in other countries.  Josee shares her experience and views of how very different health care is around the world.  If her career wasn't enough, this mother of 3 young children, including newborn is currently pursuing her masters for to become a Nurse Practitioner and is training to run 100km in the upcoming Iron Horse Ultra 100.  Go big or go home!   

My youngest nephew Nick Marland is my first Kid Bit Guest!  An exciting year for this 12 year old from Houston Texas!  He took in his first live Premier League Soccer Match in Manchester, England that came with a huge surprise and a win for his Man City team.  Nick also got to see his favorite hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers during their playoff run when they took on the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final.  A fun little storyteller with a great gif of gab!

From a small prairie town, this shy, introverted, annoying Sister has gone on to live on the opposite side of the world, eventually settling down and raising her family in one of the largest cities in the United States!  Rosanna Marland, formerly Rosanna Poulin, talks about how she stepped out of her comfort zone that led her to an unforeseen adventure.  From the Canadian Prairies to the Maritimes, to Malaysia and finally arriving in Huston Texas in the middle of a hurricane!  My once annoying sister has ended up with a pretty interesting life ... so far!

Author, broadcast journalist, Kids Help Phone volunteer, psychiatric nurse and die-hard Edmonton Oilers fan, Eileen Schuh has an eclectic array of interesting, and she brings a lot of it to this podcast!  Growing up on a farm near Tofield Alberta, Eileen always wanted to be a writer but didn't quite get around to it until her kids were grown up.   How she navigated her life to finally achieve her childhood dream with a couple detours is all here in this episode!

From growing up in rural Australia working on a sheep farm and playing Ausie rules football, to running ultra marathons and having his own sheep farm in rural Alberta.  Adam French has successfully run 100 miles 16 times in the Iron Horse Ultra 100 and has become a staple for this event.  But of course, as we always learn on this podcast, there's always more than just ultra running that makes Adam completely interesting.  How he ended up in Canada and how he ended up running ultras all here on this episode.  

From growing up on the banks of the Rideau River south of Ottawa to adventures in rural Alberta, Penny Fox paints a fantastic picture of her life with enthusiasm and charisma that has endeared her to the people who know her in St. Paul and around the Lakeland.  Her love and enthusiasm for this area is part of what makes her the perfect person to manage an organization like Community Futures and a great ambassador and promoter of our region.   Penny also shares her eye-opening experience from when she went with her husband to do missionary work in Nicaragua and the heartwarming story of how they became "Fairy Grandparents"   

4 Brilliant kids join me on this episode!  Ryan Noel,  Abdul Qudoos Abdulsalam, Abeera Abbasi and Fatima Abbasi have all qualified for the Canada Wide Science Fair in Ottawa May 26th.  We find out about each of their brilliant science fair projects that got them their.  It's the most guest, and the youngest guest all in one episode.  It was an honor to host these incredible, intelligent kids.  With minds like these, our future is in good hands!

Sabrina Michaud, better known as Bean, has been a friend for over 15 years and still surprises me with some of her stories.  Raised in the city of Edmonton, she's always been drawn to plants and nature.  Through her extensive travel, her love of plants was galvanized during her time in Hawaii where she lived in a tree house built in a mango tree!  From nature to her evolution as an artist, Bean is always expanding her interests and knowledge in Completely Interesting ways!

The newest member of the Poulin family, Vannessa just recently married my cousin, Clayton.  For this podcast, she made the long journey across the alley to join me.  Currently pursuing her PHD in Clinical child Psychology,  Vannessa is a busy person overall.  We find out what it takes to pursue that path and learn a lot about her research into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  Plus her fun view on local tourist attractions she learned about while working for Travel Alberta!

After I left radio, Evan Degenhardt was one of my favorite hosts on the local radio station.  Climbing the ladder rather quickly Evan is now the General Manager/content manager to for Vista radio, leading the staff in Lloydminster and Bonnyville.  Besides his radio career, Evan has a busy family life with three young boys and shares the challenges with the oldest being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 4.  There's also the grueling process he went through with his cousins to get on Family Feud Canada and going undefeated!  Not only is Evan completely interesting, he's continuing the fight to make Radio Great Again!

What so interesting about the pizza deliver guy?  Just ask where he grew up and 1 hour unravels in no time!  Amine Ammar grew up in Casablanca, Morrocco.  Taught himself  English, in addition to speaking French, Spanish and Arabic.  Earned a degree in English and Greek mythology, gave surfing lessons on the side, and that was before he turned 21 and traveled the world as an employee with Quatar Air!  This is only one of many episodes to come!

Not everyone goes to a rodeo and wants to become a "clown".   And not everyone goes through "bullfighter" training and literally dodging and get mauled by bulls for 8 years to become a rodeo clown.  Except Tyson Wagner.  It all worked out for my guest in the end because he now has a job he loves as the "ice man" for the St. Paul Curling Club.  A guy that's embraced his community and is often found either volunteering or just enjoying any and all events this town has to offer.  Tyson is loving every minute of it and tells some very interesting stories from all aspects of his life!

I've known Christin and her family for almost 15 years and this is the first time I've had a one-on-one conversation with her.  But it came at a cost!  The quiet, shy personal trainer agreed to come on this podcast if I agreed to a training session with her first.   Never one to shy away from a challenge, it was the perfect way to warm up!  Christin opens up about her career as a nurse and someone who struggled with health and fitness.  Along with her husband John, a 2 time guest, she guides us through their lifestyle changes that led to her becoming a full time personal trainer.   As one of the quiet ones, always the most interesting, Christin is the perfect guest for this podcast as someone completely interesting!

If there's a podcast everyone remembers, it'll be number 72!  On a show called, "Now For Someone Completely Interesting",  my wife, Monique Poulin has to be the top of my list!  Growing up in one of BC's most beautiful areas, to moving out to the baren prairies where she met a young, shaggy red-neck, Monique finally gets to tell her version of how we met!  A well traveled and insightful person who's love of organizing events and helping people has led to a variety of interesting jobs and views on life.  

Of all the Dave's I know, this is one of them!  Our kids have been best friends for over 12 years and that's evolved into a bit of a bromance for us!  But even after knowing Dave Michaud for that long, I'm still learning new things about him that you can find in this episode.  From being an assistant hot air balloon pilot to working for a business man in Spain who may have had a "hit" out on him.  A teacher who puts a high value on learning from his mistakes as much as from his success, Dave has always been one of my favorite people to talk with and I'm excited to have him share some of those stories and insights here, because, they are nothing short of completely interesting!

It's hard to think of an era in St. Paul Hockey history without Pierre being a part of it.  From player to coach to manager to skate sharpener and ultimately the historian!  Pierre joins me for some memories of his playing days and how putting together the St. Paul Jr B's hockey history has led him to another project with the St Paul Curling Club.  From the "Chez Pierre" man-cave, a friend and completely interesting person, Pierre DeMoissac

Christal Brodziak is one of St Paul's newest, successful business owners, having opened The Nest Cafe and Boutique just over a year ago.  How successful?  She's just recently announced that it's going to be franchised!  From here career as a nurse to a Lactation Consultant, and how this has all been incorporated into her busy little shop.   Christal is an open book and a seasoned podcast guest as someone who's been sharing her knowledge and stories on other programs.  Always a sign that we have Someone Completely Interesting!

Back for a special Remembrance Day episode! Heather Klages was close with her grandfather, a World War 2 Veteran.  While sharing a couple stories about him way back in Episode 11, Heather brings more detail and more stories about his time overseas during the worst global conflict in the history of the world.  She also shares more about a trip she took with him back to Holland and how Canadian soldiers are revered there.  Heather also gives us her grandfather's response when asked about his opinion regarding Christmas decorations before November 11th.  She also explains why she's currently a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and how they continue to keep the Poppy and Remembrance Day relevant to Canadians and how they help in the community.  Someone Completely Interesting, keeping the life and memory alive of Someone Completely Interesting.  We will remember them.

Knowing Justin Anderson since 2009, it was inevitable he would make an appearance on this show.    When asking his 13 year old son, why he should be on a podcast about Completely Interesting People, he replied, Dad have you seen how many Jobs you've had?  Besides that, and his new side interest/passion/homebased business with freeze-dried food, Justin has always had a good story to tell. From growing up in Newfoundland, to "organizing" a convoy out to St Paul, Alberta, Justin has a knack to bring Interesting to the table.   And, above all, he's had a beer named after him, The East Coast Hobbit!  That alone, makes him Someone Completely Interesting!

When Danica St Arnault reached out to inquire about starting her own podcast,  my natural curiosity compelled me to ask why?  Her answer was intriguing so my next question was, would you like to come on mine?  This episode, Danica reiterates in more detail what she told me.  Through her career as a teacher, navigating covid protocol with students and pausing her career to focus more time on her family and her husband's family business. Danica is also indulging in her love of music by recently joining a band.  All this is building and combining into what she plans to incorporate into her own podcast one day.  All of which I find Completely Interesting!

Bob Bezpalko is another local radio guy who worked in the business through what I feel were the greatest years in Radio.  While Bob shares some of his stories about his time in broadcasting, what he's really passionate about these days is his work with economic development in small, rural communities.  As the Executive Director Regional Economic Development with Northeast Alberta Hub, Bob explains some of his goals, challenges and how his past career in broadcasting is helping him achieve those goals.  A great storyteller and completely interesting fellow radio guy, Bob Bezpalko on this episode.

What do you do when you move from a large city to a rural community and they don't have a club that represents your interests?  You go ahead and start one!  Khurram Abbasi arrived in St. Paul just over a year ago and when he could not find a science club for his kids, he immediately started one.  Khurram's initiative has been so well received that the St Paul and District STEAM Society, is now offering programs across the Lakeland, not just in St. Paul.  A kind, soft spoken, genuine person, Khurram has had more of positive impact on our community than many of us have had in a lifetime here.  Yet, he gives all the credit to the people in our community he's worked with and supported his endeavor.  When you listen to this show, you'll understand why several of my previous guests and many more in the community recommended him to come on this show.   Someone very humble, and of course Completely Interesting!

Wrestling, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu jitsu, all have brought Ryan Wilson to the sport of Ultra Distance Swimming!  None of which has anything to do with him being dressed up as a Christmas Elf the first time I met him.  My friend and co worker, Ryan has done all of this and more.  We talk about it here on this episode because of course, it's all completely interesting!

I met Linda Sallstrom over a cup of coffee at the start of this year.  In that conversation she had a lot to ask about me and what some of my thoughts were on the direction of our community.   Unfortunately, being short on time, I didn't get to ask much about her and her thoughts on the same topic.  So, what better way to do that then to invite her on the podcast.  Linda is the Economic Development officer for STEP Economic development alliance.  How she became that, why she does it, and what that all entails is here in this episode.  Plus, Linda is a fellow advocate with me to make local radio great again!  

One of my wife's high school teachers, Jeff Pew was recommended because he does what this show does, except in a more traditional form of media.  A high school teacher of creative writing for over 30 years, Jeff also writes for 2 magazines in the Kootenay region featuring interesting people from the area.  It's my belief that people who seek out interesting people are themselves interesting!   Charismatic, insightful and talented as both a writer and photographer, Jeff shares some of his stories from teaching high school to how he finds the people he writes about.  All of which makes him someone completely interesting!  You can also find details about his publications here, www.jeffpew.com

Because his job with missionary work takes him to some hostile places, we'll only use his first name.  Those that know him will know who he is with his distinct monotone delivery with his dry but hilarious sense of humor.   Dere  takes us through his years growing up in St Paul Alberta, to his current home in, St Paul Minnesota!   His strong faith and values has led him to travel the world that even found him at the epicenter of a global pandemic.   From coaching hockey in Mongolia to meeting his wife from southern California, Derek feels he's lived a blessed life, and, in my opinion a completely interesting one!

My first immediate family member, my one and only, BIG Brother, Tim Poulin.  Tim talks politics, religion and Budweiser marketing.  With me growing up as the youngest of 5 and Tim being the oldest, what was his take growing up with us?  A trucker with a university degree who's Australia bound this fall to live with his latest wife.  Interesting, a bit unorthodox, and still imparting big brotherly advice when it comes to opioids, as long as I've known him, Tim has been Completely interesting! 

Knowing Jamie Morrow for as long as I have, I've never had the chance to pick his brain about his profession as a lawyer.  How he decided to get into the "family" business and practice a variety of law is discussed.  I also try to steer Jamie into a political career as he's always had a comprehensive knowledge and some entertaining views in that realm.  A long time friend who always seems to teach me something new, is put on the stand this time as Someone Completely interesting

Welcome to the two timers club!  Back in Episode 23 I introduced you to one of my all time best friends, Darren Watson.  This time around we talk about when his family had a video rental store and what happened to all those tapes when it closed.  Darren's also done some post covid travel and visited one of those Eastern European locations that has the capability to humble and haunt a person.  We also delve much deeper into Darren's career in digital marketing.  Completely loyal as friend, and Completely interesting to anyone who meets him!

Experiencing organ transplant from both sides.  When Arla Pirtle was in her early 20's a close friend of hers died in a car accident.  Because she was an organ donor, her friends heart is still beating today.   On the other side, just 12 years ago, her father received a double lung transplant and is still going strong today.  As a committee member of the 2nd Chance Trail Ride Society, Arla shares her emotional, personal experience on this roller coaster podcast.  A very positive and entertaining person she even shares her genius idea for celebrating her 50th trip around the sun on this episode of Now For Someone Completely interesting! 

There's no better way to make a living then indulging in your passion.  Mark Beland has been involve in the tech industry since his high school days.  Not long after high school, he came to work for MCS Net, a local computer company that has since expanded into internet and communications provider that is gaining global recognition.  Not only is he the Chief Innovation Officer,  Mark also flies planes and makes gin.  Everything I find Completely interesting!

Growing up on an Elk Farm near Hairy Hill,  Richel Brousseau kept a low key on her family's beliefs in a wholistic, naturopathic way of life.   After high school, she left home to pursue a career in health care as a nurse.  During that time an illness that couldn't be solved with conventional medicine lead her back to her roots and her current profession as a Trauma Release Practitioner, amongst other titles in alternative health.  Richel's open, candid and even humorous outlook on her personal health challenges sheds light on a side of health care that deserves more attention.   If you want to learn more about what she shares in this podcast, I encourage you to visit her website, www.letthelightin.ca

The best way to utilize a diploma in radio broadcasting is to become a medic in the Canadian military ... Right??  Kevin Bernhardt tends to follow his intuition and that has lead him down some interesting career paths.  He eventually came back to radio broadcasting and in the process has become a go to guy in the St Paul community as a volunteer.  While I'm lucky that we've got to work together as volunteers with the Ironhorse Ultra 100, I know we both regret our paths didn't cross while we were both working in radio.  Maybe someday, but for now, we'll be happy to collaborate on this podcast!  An all around good guy and a really good friend, Kevin is no doubt someone you'll find completely interesting.

I always find it interesting to hear the same story from a different perspective.  That was one reason why I wanted to have Jeremy Yaremchuk on this show.  Jeremy's wife, Breanna Malcomson was on the show last year, (Episode 31) and together over the last three years they've started a side business, Backroad Farmhouse Roasting Company,  roasting coffee and selling it locally.  When explaining Jeremy's general inquisitive nature and briefly talking about his career as an Environmentalist, I knew I would have to get him on to learn more.  An upbeat, energetic and charismatic, person, Jeremy brings a fun spin to the Backroad Farmhouse Roasting story along with some great insight into his own life growing up and his unique career.  Of course this is recorded over a pint of Backroad Farmhouse Coffee Stout at the Lakeland Brewing Company! 

Not your typical oilfield trucker, Keith Poulin has a keen interest in art, photography, and music. However, not your common musical instrument selection.  Keith talks about making his flutes in the Native American Style that he also plays.  We get a sample of that skill along with my own flute playing debut!  He's also learned to play an array of instruments from around the world.  Self taught in all those aspects, Keith brings an interesting twist to numbers and how he relates them to this podcast.  Completely talented and  interesting, Keith Poulin bestows his talent along with a surprise gift on this lates episode!

For the last 15 Years, every time I've had a BS session with Trent Rowley, I've come away learning something new and maybe thinking a little bit differently.  Never one to hide his true self Trent shares a bit of his less than ideal experiences growing up and how he uses that to guide and coach young basketball players in our community today.  Never one to sugar coat his words, his focus is always to leave you on a positive note.  Outspoken and Completely Interesting, a true friend, the perfect guest for my 50th episode, Trent Rowley.

An old soul with youthful pluck.  Meeting Cole Jackson for the first time, you sense his up-beat energy and charisma.   He's invested fully in his hobbies and community.  While today he may fit the bill of a Co-op board member, he was a rarity when he first joined in his early 20's.  He loves restoring antique machines and tools, talking pipes (the kind you smoke) and shares some personal stories of how he was ahead of his time with the eventual YouTube phenomenon!  As I've since learned we haven't even scratched the surface of how completely interesting this eventual repeat guest is. 

I would seem Tanya Fontaine has developed an outlook on life and chose a path for herself through mistaken identity and happy little accidents.  With 100% Ukrainian heritage, she speaks fluent Cree and has been an influential advocate with the Truth and Reconciliation initiatives for St Paul and area.  Tanya explains how small actions can create significant change and how an open mind can open doors of opportunity.  This compassionate, friendly and extremely intelligent woman is nothing short of someone completely interesting!

My long time friend Aaron Grosseth returns!  Someone completely offensive!  Back in Episode 7 I introduced you to Aaron.  This time his filter comes completely off!  From his thoughts about wives vs prostitutes to why Hitler wanted to take over the world.   A former Auctioneer who golfed naked, and plans to attend a Bill Cosby show in 2023.  If you haven't been the least offended by this episode description, the by all means, proceed with caution.

Ben shares a lost family tradition along with some fun facts!  Hope you Enjoy.  We look forward to having more Completely Interesting People in 2023.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A fellow Elk Point-er, born and raised, Brian Poitras has become a fixture in the community.  Being involved in sports as a participant, coach and an official Brian continues to give back and mentor Elk Point youth.  The caretaker at the AG Ross Arena, Brian is either running the Zamboni, reffing hockey and sometimes both.  With a talent for MCing  local events, and his passion for professional wrestling, he realize his dream in front of his hometown crowd when he took a punch as the "commissioner" of that evenings event.  A great story teller with some great stories!  If you're from Elk Point and you've ever encountered Brian, you'll want to tune in and see if your name gets dropped in this latest episode of Now For Someone Completely Interesting!