Discover the delicious history of raising, harvesting – and shucking – oysters on Prince Edward Island! Host Samantha Kelly is joined by Jason Woodside, oyster-shucking champion and inventor of the banjo knife. Together, they delve into the story of how our relationship with oysters started, how it became a globe-spanning industry and the ins and outs of our relationship with oysters in the present day.

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Jason Woodside Is A Two-Time Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion (2004, 2006) With Over 26 Years Of Experience As A Professional Oyster Shucker. Infamous For His Knowledge and Skill, Jason Possesses A Deep Understanding Of Canada’s Oyster Industry, Particularly Prince Edward Island’s wild And cultured Oyster Fisheries.

Passionate about education and advocacy, Jason shares his expertise through private tours, seminars, and appearances at select events, where he elevates public awareness of the joys and complexities of oyster appreciation. Jason is the creator of the Banjo Oyster Knife, which helps make shucking safer and easier for beginners. Additionally, Jason crafts traditional-style oyster knives, from PEI wood, which are tailored to professional shuckers seeking a competitive edge.

We are kick-starting the season with an exciting two-part episode: Podcast host Matthew McRae tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of Walter Patterson, Prince Edward Island's first Governor. Laugh and learn co-host Evelyn Bradley as well as guest comedian Shawn Hogan. 

Did you know that privateers kidnapped our government? Or that Patterson gave an island off the coast of the island to his girlfriend? Or that he invented the “fresh cookies” scent for homes? Okay, maybe that last one isn’t true, but still.

Patterson's legacies of leadership, shady real-estate practices and questionable decision-making culminate into a story that is as humourous as it is outrageous – enjoy parts 1 and 2 of the ballad of Wally P!

We are kick-starting the season with an exciting two-part episode: Podcast host Matthew McRae tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of Walter Patterson, Prince Edward Island's first Governor. Laugh and learn co-host Evelyn Bradley as well as guest comedian Shawn Hogan. 

Did you know that privateers kidnapped our government? Or that Patterson gave an island off the coast of the island to his girlfriend? Or that he invented the “fresh cookies” scent for homes? Okay, maybe that last one isn’t true, but still.

Patterson's legacies of leadership, shady real-estate practices and questionable decision-making culminate into a story that is as humourous as it is outrageous – enjoy parts 1 and 2 of the ballad of Wally P!

The Hidden Island - in partnership with our friends at The Walrus Labs - presents a hosting collaboration for their podcast episode of Canadian Time Machine, recognizing and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of known PEI author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

From The Walrus Labs:

"November 30, 2024 marks 150 years since Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birth, and her legacy continues to endure. Best known for Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery created characters that embody resilience and imagination. In this episode of Canadian Time Machine, her granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, shares family stories, preserves her grandmother’s legacy, and reads from Emily of New Moon, which she views as Montgomery’s most personal work.

"The episode also explores her influence, her personal struggles, and Dr. Jessica Katz Edison’s insight into how Montgomery’s work resonates with neurodivergent audiences, long before such language existed.

"More episodes of Canadian Time Machine are available at: https://lnkfi.re/canadian-time-machine. To read episode transcripts in both French and English and explore more historic Canadian milestones, visit https://www.thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. A French counterpart of the show, Voyages dans l'histoire canadienne, is also available—if you're bilingual and looking for more, head to https://lnkfi.re/Voyages-dans-lhistoire-canadienne."

Did you know that Chinese Islanders have been living on Prince Edward Island since as early as 1850? Trista Jiali Liang and Camellia Nguyen take us back in time to discuss the history of Chinese immigration to Canada and PEI, and how Asian immigration has contributed to a resilient and culturally diverse Island community. The book "Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World" by Dr. Hung-Min Chiang was referenced throughout this episode.

Features guest interviews: Jerry Wang (UPEI), Kevin MacLean (Orwell Corner Historic House)

Happy National Tourism Week! Host Camellia Nguyen, Communications Coordinator of the Museum & Heritage Foundation will take you on a journey to explore how tourism became PEI's leading industry. In addition to the history of tourism, this episode also covers discussions about the Island's food culture, the impact of climate change on tourism, emerging tourism sectors, and the love-hate relationship between Islanders and tourists.

Features guest interviews: Dr. Edward MacDonald, Crystal MacGregor (Food Island PEI), Corryn Clements (TIAPEI), Dr. Matthew McRae, Monisha Rodricks

Hurricane Fiona in 2022 prompted us to reflect on the state of climate change on the Island. Join Daniel McRae, Lead Researcher at MacPhail Woods, and Matthew McRae, Executive Director of the Museum & Heritage Foundation as they discuss the many natural (or human) disasters that happened on PEI. Spoiler: brace yourself for a stormy future.

Features guest interviews: Dr. Douglas Sobey, Peter Nishimura (Government of PEI - EECA), Donald Jardine (UPEI Climate Lab), Kate MacQuarrie (Government of PEI - EECA), Stuart Hickox (Tree Stories PEI) 

In this episode, we travel back with the Canadian Time Machine podcast to look at the moment Prince Edward Island entered Confederation. 

Historian Dr. Edward MacDonald takes us back to the Charlottetown Conference, where it’s said that discussions about the Dominion of Canada flowed over several glasses of champagne. He’ll also help us understand why PEI joined the country six years after it was formed. This episode also features reflections on reconciliation from Julie Pellissier-Lush, an actress, knowledge keeper, storyteller, and the first Mi’kmaq Poet Laureate for PEI. 

More episodes are available at: https://lnkfi.re/canadian-time-machine

To read the episode transcripts in French and English, and to learn more about historic Canadian milestones, please visit thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. There is also a French counterpart of this show called Voyages Dans L’Histoire Canadienne so if you’re bilingual and want to listen to more, visit https://lnkfi.re/Voyages-dans-lhistoire-canadienne.

Continuing on the previous conversation about Black Islanders' past and present, Evelyn Bradley is joined by Dante Bazard, Manager of Anti-Racism Initiatives with the Government of PEI. Learn about Dante's advocacy journey, as well as what the future holds for the Black community in PEI. 

Features guest interviews: Aaron Sardinha, Tamara Steele, and Jasonique Moss.