Think you’d never fall for a scam? Think again. 

In this week's episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Detective Constable Zach Dagg and Constable Merv Shantz from the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) to dive deep into the frightening world of fraudsters and scammers. From door-to-door “contractors” and impersonation scams, to AI-generated voices pretending to be loved ones, their methods are evolving! 

The officers detail with Chris some preventative measures on how to avoid being scammed, detailing how scammers prey on fear, trust, and emotion, and what red flags you need to recognize. 

Whether you’re tech-savvy or just trying to keep grandma safe — this episode is a must-listen.

What really goes on inside a university student union?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski catches up with Matt Suszter (President, NUSU) and Abby Noonan (Administrative Assistant) for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at life inside the Nipissing University Student Union.

From student politics and leadership to battling food insecurity on campus, this episode dives into the rebranding of the on-campus food bank, “OWLS Week”, how to get involved with clubs & communities, and what struggles students are facing regarding housing, finances, and jobs.

Plus, hilarious stories about hot peppers, campus legends, and the maze-like architecture of Nipissing U's hallways. 

In this episode of Echo Essentials, veteran journalist Greg Estabrooks joins host Chris Piekarski to talk about the golden days of North Bay media, wild high school sports rivalries, and how today's journalists are navigating shrinking newsrooms and fascinating local scandals.

Greg shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, emotional war memorial moments, and how covering news in a small city can get personal fast.

00:00 – Intro
03:00 – Greg joins the show: Fax machines, phone calls, and pre-internet reporting
06:15 – How local journalism has changed (and shrunk) 
17:00 – The Cenotaph story: Emotions and national significance
22:00 – How Canada Wins: Greg’s new series
25:30 – Reporting vs press releases & why stories matter 
38:00 – Injuries, football fields, and field turf vs chaos 
53:00 – The journalist’s job: asking hard questions

In this unforgettable episode of Echo Essentials, we say farewell to the legendary Dave Dale as a permanent co-host of the Echo Essentials podcast.

From fierce city hall controversies to the inside story of the Echo Podcast Network's inception, Dave tells all! Alongside Dave, Chris Piekarski is also joined by former Echo Essentials co-host Scott Clark, dive deep into the ethics of journalism, political heat in covering stories around North Bay, and what might be next for the seasoned journalist.

It's not goodbye Dave, it's see you later!

03:44 – How Echo Essentials started: An Important Lunch
04:30 – Dave’s controversial column on then-mayoral candidate Peter Chirico
07:00 – “Make North Bay Great Again”?
16:00 – Journalism vs Politics in a small city
22:00 – Dave reflects on his legacy and impact at the Echo Podcast Network and beyond
33:30 – Mayor’s expenses and accountability in local media
43:00 – Dave’s next column sneak peek: budgets & transparency
51:15 – Plans for Small Town Times + monthly podcasts
60:27 – What's next for Dave Dale?

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris and Dave welcome Will Konken, BayToday’s newest journalist, who’s been thrown into the heart of North Bay’s hottest local stories — from expense scandals to evolving city hall drama.

From discussing what the role of journalism is like in small communities, to the future of local media in the age of clickbait and shortened attention spans, Will shares his opinions and details his processes on being a journalist in the north.

Think sunscreen is just for summer? Think again.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, hosts Chris Piekarski and Dave Dale sit down with Falyn Katz, CEO of Melanoma Canada, to break down the rising rates of skin cancer, the free screening mobile unit visiting North Bay, and the biggest myths that put Canadians at risk.

This episode is full of personal stories, science-backed facts, and easy, life-saving tips. If you’ve ever skipped using SPF, wearing UPF or if you've brushed off a weird-looking mole, seek some shade and hit play!

What hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park wasn’t a tornado. It was something else...

In this eye-opening episode of Echo Essentials, Chris Piekarski sits down for a call with Dr. David Sills, Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, to talk about the storm that devastated part of Highway 17 East of North Bay, and how his team investigates extreme weather events across Ontario and Canada.

Dr. Sills also discusses how how downbursts differ from tornadoes, the science behind tree patterns, drone mapping, and the real reason why Ontario (not the Prairies) is now Canada's tornado hotspot. Chris also inquires if there is a direct correlation to the surge in storms in the province and climate change.

OUTLoud North Bay has been creating safe, affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ youth for the past several years. In this week's episode, Chris Piekarski sits down with founder Seth Compton and volunteer Riley Ong to talk about their surprise invitation to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward in Toronto — and the life-changing work that led to it.

The episode also discuss the emotional moment when Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor was brought to tears during her visit to OUTLoud's space, Riley's ascension into being a student leader at Canadore College, the mental health crises facing queer youth and how OUTLoud is committed to saving lives.

When a freak storm ripped through Bonfield, Ontario, no one was ready for what came next: 100+ damaged roadways, families stranded in parks, trees smashing into vehicles, and a state of emergency declared at 4 a.m.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Mayor Narry Paquette and Deputy Mayor Jason Corbett just days after the disaster. They walk Chris and Dave through how emergency response was mobilized in the middle of the night, and why small-town collaboration might be the secret to resilience. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also outline what needs to happen next — from rebuilding roads to lobbying for funding at the provincial level.

00:00 – Intro
03:15 – How it all began: Late-night warnings & first emergency calls
09:40 – “We declared a state of emergency at 4 a.m.” — timeline breakdown
13:10 – Camping during chaos: A tree crashes on Deputy Mayor’s vehicle
17:40 – Over 100 road issues logged, crews deployed before midnight
22:00 – First responders bulldozing through fallen trees
25:30 – Community support: Neighbouring towns and private companies step in!
29:10 – Financial cost
33:00 – Provincial help, paperwork prep, and recovery planning
37:20 – Reflections on leadership, resilience, and lessons from 2008
41:00 – Final thoughts

Is North Bay doing enough to address its housing crisis? In this episode of Echo Essentials, City Councillor Justine Mallah opens up about the city's growing housing challenges—from affordability and zoning to the human impact on renters and first-time buyers.

She breaks down what City Hall is doing, the roadblocks in the way, and why transparency and collaboration are key to making progress.

00:00 – Intro
05:00 – The housing issue North Bay can’t ignore
10:00 – What the city is doing now
15:00 – Barriers to real progress: funding, zoning & red tape
20:00 – Council dynamics and political will
25:00 – Justine’s personal drive and values
30:00 – Community voices and public input
35:00 – Rental markets, development pressure, and downtown impacts
40:00 – What collaboration across sectors could look like
45:00 – Balancing urgent needs with long-term vision
50:00 – What Justine wishes more residents understood