BumfCast

I've had few friends I've known longer or better than Denise Chapman.

Raised on a small Saskatchewan farm, she grew up to become an amazing athlete, a talented musician, a terrific engineer, a lovely wife.and a devoted mom. Lucky for me, she's still a great friend.

We discuss our shared childhood experiences, her late mother, Marlene, her participation in elite athletics, being a women in the environmental engineering field, and other stuff.

Theme music "I'm Not Satisfied" provided courtesy of Brent Tyler.

In this episode, I get to reach out to the Godfather. Dennis Schwab is my first cousin, and I have the privilege of being his godson. After a childhood mostly in Saskatchewan, he trekked out with his huge family to Prince George, where he became a contractor. He gradually built his business into industrial contracting and eventually moved into land development.

I haven't really stayed in touch with him over the years, only running into him at one of our extended family's large and boisterous reunions. He's always been very generous and kind to me and, for that, I've been quite appreciative of our personal connection. I'm so happy I reached out to him.

He currently resides in beautiful downtown Vancouver with his lovely wife, Leslie, and lives and works close with his kids. 

In this episode, we talk family as well as how a entrepreneurial business career can grow and develop over time.

Theme music provided courtesy of Brent Tyler.

Kendal Netmaker grew up on an impoverished First Nation to become one of Saskatchewan's most promising young entrepreneurs. After building successful business, the lifestyle brand Neechie Gear, in his twenties, he branched out to become a well-regarded motivational speaker, consultant and business coach. He's been recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40.

He also happens to be my neighbour and a heck of a nice guy.

In this episode, we discuss fatherhood and marriage, storytelling and building brands, mentorship and what it's like being a role model for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

You can buy his book, "Driven to Succeed", as well as inquire into his coaching and consultancy services at www.kendalnetmaker.com.

Theme music for this episode, "I'm Not Satisfied," is courtesy of Brent Tyler.

A born storyteller, Ryan Mossny is an intrepid world traveller and tourism entrepreneur.

Born in Ottawa and raised in Saskatchewan, he now calls Perth, Australia home.

We've been friends for more than a quarter of a century, and the guy hasn't changed a bit. He's still energetic, fun and friendly.

What I didn't realize is the extent of how he channeled his own industrious nature and his will to accept and succeed in his life's challenges into a productive and meaningful career in tourism in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

When you get the chance, make sure you book your insiders tour of Perth through Two Feet & a Heartbeat.

Theme music, "I'm Not Satisfied," is courtesy of Brent Tyler.

In what was probably my easiest episode to produce, I finally catch  up with Meaghan Taylor after many years.

Meegs has had an interesting journey, to be sure. When I first met her, she was just a small-town girl at USask who was about to start laying the beats to cancer. Since then, she's taught English in Taiwan, sold textbooks to universities, and now sets up international travel trips for students while teaching communications and marketing at BCIT in Vancouver.

At heart, she's a writer and a storyteller, packaged with an engaging smile, an infectious laugh and a wicked sense of humour. How I've missed talking with her.

As always, the song "I'm Not Satisfied" was provided courtesy of Brent Tyler.

This guy is an absolute beauty. Kevin Tucker and I were dorm mates at Saskatchewan's famed Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, where it is said that Hounds Have Heart.

At Notre Dame, Tucker was a hockey player's hockey player. Since then, he's played all across North America, including a stint on the Canadian National team, and has since settled down in Calgary.

Tucker recently posted a couple videos about his recent heart surgery. I saw immediately that he hasn't changed a bit from being the great guy I knew back then, and I realized it was high time to reconnect with the Tuckshow. 

As always, theme music "I'm Not Satisfied" is courtesy of Brent Tyler.

I met Thomas at the University of Saskatchewan, where he was later named as one of our school's top 100 most influential alumni (I just barely missed the cut). 

He's a husband, a dad and a practising dentist & periodontist in Calgary that also happens to be one of the most highly decorated amateur pianists in the world. Among his notable achievements was winning the 2006 Paris International Competition and the prestigious 2016 Cliburn Competition. 

We talked about his musical background, listening to the Rider games while practising piano, the difficult choices he had to make, his development as an artist into an international champion, and his achingly beautiful Fazioli. 

You can find out more about Tom at his website, but I recommend you check out his performances on YouTube.

It was great catching up with him again. Enjoy!

Theme music "I'm Not Satisfied" provided, as always, courtesy of Brent Tyler.

I had no idea what to expect during my conversation with Addison Bell, but I knew it was going to be interesting. There's always another surprise to behold with Addy, and he didn't disappoint. 

We initially talked about our shared history with the Kinsmen Club, as well as our education and careers, but somehow we ended up exploring the most profound music in our lives as well as spiritual psychological archetypes. Yeah, it was weird and fun.

Hope you have fun too.

"I'm Not Satisfied" is courtesy of Brent Tyler. 

I was fortunate enough to study with some exceptional people while in university, and I certainly include Kirsten Marcia in this group. After a very interesting career as a geologist, she's now the president and CEO of DEEP Earth Energy Production, using her talent, experience and gumption to build a (literally) ground-breaking geothermal project in southeast Saskatchewan. 

It's been a treat following her career as of late, and an absolute joy to catch up with her again.

The episode's theme song, "I'm Not Satisfied," is courtesy of Brent Tyler, which you can download from Bandcamp https://brenttyler.bandcamp.com/album/love-myself .

I've known Brent "Big Love" Tyler for almost 20 years, harking back to when he used to host the open mic Wednesday nights at Calgary's legendary Karma Local Arts House. For years, BT was a mainstay performer at many of the area's top pubs. He's also recorded a few terrific albums (including the theme song for this podcast).

His spiritual home is the Ironwood Stage in Calgary's Inglewood community, but now physically resides in Penticton, BC, with his lovely wife and child. 

It was wonderful catching up with him again. I hope you enjoy it too.