Echo Essentials Podcast

What does it really take to lead a university, through good times and bad? In this episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University, to talk about the behind-the-scenes decisions that helped the school avoid the financial collapse many thought was insurmountable.

From strategic budgeting and expanding STEM programs, to supporting international students and building cultural inclusivity, Dr. Wamsley shares powerful insights on what it means, and what it takes, to lead in higher education today.

In this week's Echo Essentials episode, Chris sits down with Malinda and Kyla from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) North Bay to talk about World Suicide Prevention Day.

 From new suicide grief support groups to free SafeTALK training, discover how CMHA is equipping people with the tools to save lives and heal from traumatic loss. The conversation dives into stigma, the power of restorative storytelling, supporting high-performance athletes, and the simple ways we can all make a difference.

Resources:

Suicide Crisis Helpline Call or text 9-8-8 

Kids Help Phone
Text: 686868
Call: 1-800-668-6868 Chat: KidsHelpPhone.ca 


Crisis Intervention: 1-800-352-1411

Mobile Crisis Response Teams
North Bay Police Service: 705-472-1234
North Bay OPP: 1-888-310-1122

Hope for Wellness Helpline: (Crisis Support for Indigenous Peoples) 1-855-242-3310

Free suicide grief support group and prevention training available this fall: https://nbd.cmha.ca/news/free-suicide-grief-support-group-and-prevention-training-available-this-fall/ CMHA North Bay and District: https://nbd.cmha.ca/

When Ontario student Dillon Anderson ran against Pierre Poilievre in Alberta, it wasn’t about winning but making a point.

In this episode of Echo Essentials, Dillon explains what inspired him to join the longest ballot, how he legally ran in a province he doesn’t live in, and why he thinks Canada’s electoral system needs a serious overhaul.

02:30 – The Longest Ballot Committee
05:30 – Protest or Interference?
11:00 – Campaigning Without a Budget
20:15 – What He Learned in Alberta
35:30 – The Future of Local Democracy

What’s it really like being a first-time mayor in one of Northern Ontario’s largest municipalities?

Mayor Kathleen Rochon of West Nipissing joins Echo Essentials to share the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes stories of running a geographically vast rural community. From fixing broken council culture to taking a stand on controversial environmental issues, Kathleen shares her thoughts.

Mayor Rochon and Chris discuss some local stories surrounding West Nipissing, including the glyphosate spray plan in the West Nipissing Forest, how the OPP became the law enforcement service in the area, big lottery winners and what it's like developing infrastructure on a municipality budget.

Will Mayor Rochon discuss where she prefers her poutine? Does she have a favourite between Riv's or Larry's? Tune in to find out!

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!