Act3 Media Productions

In Shaun Lee's first book of a series, you will learn how to be a Rainbow Ally.

Queerology 101 How to be a Rainbow Ally: A Practical Guide to LGBTQAI+ Understanding Inclusive Action, and Skills for Everyday Life
by Shaun Lee (Author)  Format: Paperback
Queerology 101: How to Be a Rainbow Ally is your no-nonsense guide to understanding the subtle nuances of queer culture and how to become a true ally.
Whether you are feeling unsure, curious, or afraid of 'getting it wrong,' this guide meets you where you are at and helps you to gain confidence as an ally.
Inside you'll learn:
How to move beyond performative allyship into real, everyday action
What to say-and what not to say- in real-life situations.
Why 'unlearning' matters as much as learning.
How to support queer, trans, nonbinary and gender-diverse people with confidence.
How to create safer, more inclusive spaces at work, home and in your community.
This isn't about being perfect, it's about being willing.
Blending education, reflection and practical tools, Queerology 101 helps you shift from fear and confusion to clarity and courage- so you can become the kind of ally people actually need.

If you've ever thought...
"Am I saying the wrong thing?"
"I want to support, but I don't know how."
"Why does this feel so complicated?"
...then this book is for you.

Start where you are and learn what matters.

Spreading love and rainbows,
Shaun Lee they/them

Available now on Amazon!

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com 

Sarah Rosen shares with us some incredibly good basics about getting ready for this year's potential ER responses.  Strathcona Regional District and Strathcona emergency services work with the community to ensure that people understand the importance of preparedness. 

Emergency preparedness planning is essential for everyone. Fires, floods, earthquakes and evacuations can happen at any time. Being ready helps protect lives and property. For individuals, preparation means knowing what to do and having supplies ready. For the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), it means planning that allows for clear communication and quick action during emergencies.

Working together makes the community safer and stronger. Find information and resources to help you prepare for potential emergencies below.

Evacuations
Evacuations can be chaotic, nerve-racking and a time of worry and strain. Residents should remain aware and be prepared in case of evacuation. Firefighters and other emergency personnel cannot work on the fire or other problems until life and safety issues are under control.

When an evacuation alert or warning is issued, they may be communicated by:

Emergency notification systems
Door knocking
Media broadcasts
Mobile public address (RCMP)
Telephone calls
Electronic media
The Alert or Order will identify hazard and emergency zones as well as travel routes. Communication may also identify reception centre locations, advise the method of declaring an “All Clear” and explain the procedure for issuing controlled re-entry passes.

As information is received from the operational front lines and examined for specific actions, the public will be kept notified of developments, level of evacuation awareness, location of reception centres and other important information.

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com 

Sarah Wallbank from Dine About and the Co-Chef and Co-Owner of CAMAS in Lantzville teams up with Nanaimo Foundations Executive Director Tracey Brown to talk about Dry January and Rethinking Drinking.  This lively conversation touches on options to consider when dining out.

Rethinking Drinking at Nanaimo
The ReThinking Drinking initiative in Nanaimo is a community-driven effort aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms and promoting healthier drinking habits. Here are some key aspects of the program:

Community Awareness: The campaign encourages open conversations and small shifts in behavior to create more inclusive social spaces. It aims to reduce stigma and suffering associated with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). 

Public Events: Events like screenings and panel discussions, such as the one featuring the documentary "Smashed: Breaking the Cycle of Alcohol Use Disorder," provide opportunities for community engagement and education. 

Engagement Activities: Activities like trivia games and mocktail rewards at community events model inclusive ways to connect socially and raise awareness about AUD. 

Policy and Education: The initiative supports the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society's mission to promote research, education, and policy change that reduces stigma and suffering. 

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to fostering a culture of mindful drinking and reducing the impact of alcohol on communities in Nanaimo.

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com 

Carly’s House — A Story of Purpose, Love, and Community
On January 1st, 2025—her birthday—my wife Carly became very sick, very fast while we were in Japan. Within a single day she was rushed to a hospital in Kyoto, where she required emergency surgery. Doctors removed a mass of tumors from her abdomen, and several suspicious lymph nodes. They were almost certain she had cancer.

She spent the next 14 days in that Kyoto hospital, drifting in and out of consciousness, often forgetting what she had been told. I never left her side. I stayed every possible minute of visiting hours, and I even snuck in when I wasn’t supposed to be there.

When she was clear-headed enough, I brought our 17-year-old daughter and her friend to see her. Carly had been thinking. With tears in her eyes, she shared two things she wanted:

She wanted our family to have dinner together every Sunday.
She wanted to give back more to the community.
Her real estate business had always been rooted in giving back, but this moment gave that promise a deeper meaning.

Less than a month later, the worst news imaginable was confirmed: Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that is always fatal. We were devastated.

We continued searching for hope and she was eventually accepted into a promising clinical trial—until tragedy struck again. During a routine bone marrow biopsy before the trial, doctors discovered a second cancer: CLL. That disqualified her, and once again our world collapsed.

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com 

Lila shares her story about esophageal cancer and explains why we need to pay attention to signs and be an advocate for our diet and self care.   We have a frank conversation about life with Cancer.
A truly admirable story!

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Brian Sugiyama shares with our audience what Choosing to Move can look like for older adults in the community! 

Check out the Choose to Move program with NFLA.  www.nfla.org

Choose to Move, a physical activity support program, is here to ignite your motivation and connect you with a supportive community. Here’s what you can expect: You’ll work closely with a knowledgeable activity coach who will help you craft an activity plan tailored to your preferences and abilities.

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com

Led by Community Futures Central Island in partnership with Hufnagel Consulting and Jennifer Hufnagel, AI Educator, this program is designed for people just like you, small business owners and leaders juggling limited resources, tight margins, and relentless demands. Through tailored support and practical learning, we’ll help you cut through the noise and start using AI tools that make an immediate impact.

Be Part of Vancouver Island’s Future
By embracing AI today, you’re not only preparing your business for what’s next, you’re helping spark a wave of innovation and resilience across our region. As more local organizations adopt AI and digital strategies, everyone benefits from a network effect of shared success and collective learning.

Curious to learn more about our AI Upskilling for Businesses program: Check out the full program details here. This is your moment for action. Don’t wait for the competition to figure it out first.

https://www.hufnagelconsulting.ca/
https://www.cfnanaimo.org/

Jennifer Hufnagel and Jolynn Green

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com

Cailey Foster and Johanne Kemmler talk to our listeners about the Cowichan CAT Team and we demystify addiction in this conversation.  We also discuss Purple Ribbon Day in Cowichan. We discuss myths about addiction, and those families who are managing their way through it.  It is a compelling conversation about kindness, action, and support found in a community that cares.

Purple Ribbon Day is on Aug 30 2025 
Find out more: [email protected]
Cowichan Health Network - Our Cowichan https://www.ourcchn.ca/
Moms Stop the Harm www.momsstoptheharm.com
Healing Hearts support group - contact Johanne for schedule information

Remember someone that you love, or someone that loves another in your family or friend network may be experiencing addiction.

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com

Jennifer Hugnagel is an AI Enthusiast and she helps people to understand how AI can help to benefit so many  aspects of their lives. 

AI is no longer optional—it’s already reshaping business, and those who don’t adapt risk falling behind. “Your company won’t go out of business because of AI. It will go out of business because another company is using AI.” But here’s the good news: you’re not too late. The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The next best time? Today.
Right now, most businesses on Vancouver Island aren’t ready, and that’s a serious problem—but also a huge opportunity. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, are uniquely positioned to succeed in this AI-driven shift. Our strengths in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability make AI a natural fit—but only if we embrace it. The playing field is leveling, and those who take action…

www.hufnagelconsulting.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hufnagel/

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com

Kirsten Schuld and Joanne Schroeder share with our Act3 audiences the importance of Social Prescribing and why older adults can benefit from this vital program.  In Nanaimo, Social Prescribing is supported by incredibly kind people who want to help older adults in our community.  This fantastic program helps older adults connect to the community and things they love and could help lonely adults find a connection.

To learn more about Social Prescribing in Nanaimo - visit NFLA at www.nfla.org
The Division of Family Practice: divisionsbc.ca/nanaimo

Cathy Holmes Act3 Media Productions - act3mediaproductions.com