Explore every episode of the podcast The West Coast Speakeasy

Nash Park is a Victoria, B.C. based stand up comedian, one half of OK DOPE and co-owner of their brand new comedy club, which is opening at the former Logan's Pub location. Nash talks about the pressure, challenges and game plan for taking over the reigns at one of the cities most beloved venues and what it means for the future of comedy on Vancouver Island.

For decades, Ted Smith has challenged Canada's cannabis laws, advocating for patients who believed they deserved safe and affordable access to medical cannabis long before legalization became a reality. He's been raided multiple times, sparked legal battles and helped shape the conversation around medical cannabis across the country. More from Ted : https://www.victoriacannabisbuyers.club/history/who-we-are/

Kalev Mihkel Kaup spent two decades as the talent booker at Victoria’s legendary live music venue, Logan’s Pub, before it shut down in 2020. Known as the “Tavern of The Damned,” the pub served as the heartbeat of Victoria’s underground indie, punk and metal scene. Kalev describes the incredible culture that was built there through the years, recounts wild and memorable stories from the frontlines and reminisces about the venue's glory days.

Frank recounts the details of a murder that he believes was meant for him. The experience was a defining moment for Frank, and set him on a dark path for many years, before he was ultimately able to turn his life around.

“Frank Zapper” is an ex gang member and drug dealer turned addiction support worker, mentor and live music host in Victoria, B.C. He recounts the traumatic childhood and adolescent years that propelled him into a life of crime on the streets of Victoria, leading to a five year jail sentence at the age of 18. Frank reveals intimate details about his experiences, navigating relationships with seasoned criminals and the stresses of dealing with violence, addiction and betrayal. Finally, at age 40, Frank was able to find his true path, becoming a support worker for individuals entrenched in addiction and meeting the love of his life. 

More From Frank:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frankzappppper/Youtube - youtube.com/@whatsreallyhoodson?si=pvJlz1wgxrFfxMn-

Jessica talks about the most awkward and outrageous request she's got from a client and the logistics of getting it done!

Jessica Scott is a tattoo artist and owner of Ivy Tattoo Studio in Victoria, B.C. She talks about the work ethic and drive it took to get to where she is today, her most outrageous and challenging requests from clients, the joy of collaborating, dealing with the pressure of starting her own business, and future plans for her charity.

Check out Jessica's instagram at: www.instagram.com/mctattedjess/

Cole Jackson is a music producer, hip hop artist and studio engineer living in Victoria, B.C. He discusses the challenges and joys of becoming a full time artist, building the skills and knowledge to hone your craft and putting your intentions into practice. Cole reflects on trying to find balance when you have a creative obsession and the joys of finding a supportive community within Victoria's fast growing hip hop scene. He recently released a new music video with Vancouver based artist Papa!, and a single entitled Eras Tour from his upcoming sophomore album.

Empty walls are transformed into sacred spaces when Alex creates murals that honour family and those lost to trauma and addiction. The creative process becomes a spiritual practice, filled with intention and respect. To learn more about Alex, watch the full episode.

Lucky Budd tells the story of Canada's only succesfull train robber, Bill Miner. Check out the full episode to learn more.

Alex Taylor- McCallum is a Kwakwa̲ka̲'wakw & Nuu-Cha-Nulth creative native artist, muralist, lyricist, M.C and educational facilitator living in Victoria, B.C. Alex has painted Indigenous themed murals all over the city, using them as a vehicle for personal growth to honour ancestors and bring light to meaningful social issues. After a long battle with addiction, Alex credits sobriety to their life changing transformation which has yielded incredible opportunities in art, hip hop and education. Alex goes by PINDN as a hip hop musician and is releasing their debut full length album Spirits Back later this month.

Alex Taylor - McCallum aka PINDN performs Tales of Da Red Road live on the show off his new album Spirits Back

Lucky Budd is a best selling author, oral historian and musician living in Victoria, B.C. His passion about storytelling lead to the creation of Voices of B.C. and Echoes of B.C., two incredible books that draw on 998 interviews from one of the largest oral history collections in the world. A CBC radio series followed where Budd recounted seminal stories from B.C. pioneers, giving us a fascinating glimpse into the provinces past. In 2013, Budd and famed Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers began a longstanding creative collaboration, having produced almost 20 books to date, many of them national best sellers in Canada. Budd is also in a popular local band named Canadian Beauty.

In the second part of the interview, we discuss Rachel's journey towards becoming a screenwriter, connecting with Bruce Logan and writing Lost Fare.

In my first episode, I interview Rachel Reaugh, an amazing woman born in Vancouver in 1974, who at the age of two, was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a group of diseases that can cause debilitating weakness, loss of muscle mass and often lead to a very short lifespan. Despite many doctors telling Rachel she wouldn't live past a very young age, she is still going strong at 50 today. Rachel shares her story of leaving an abusive family, and at age 14 moving to Victoria to start a new life where she found freedom and support. Rachel recounts becoming one of the first people in British Columbia to secure 24 hour funding to live independently, becoming a social worker and ultimately finding her place as a screen writer. In 2018, Rachel partnered with Hollywood director Bruce Logan to create Lost Fare, a film based on her real life childhood experience. The movie received critical acclaim at many independent film festivals, won numerous awards and is currently available on Amazon Prime.