The Kingstonian Podcast

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Repeat Episode:

You know the place – Brian’s Record Option.  It has been a fixture on Princess Street, here in Kingston, for over 40 years.  Brian Lipsin has been in the business of  buying and selling records, CD’s and posters.  With the start of the pandemic, Brian has become a storyteller, sharing his experiences with his many Facebook friends.  This episode is a repeat broadcast, first published in March of 2021 – all part of our 10th Anniversary Celebration. 

Hashtags:  #TheKingstonianPodcast #BriansRecordOption #RecordCollector #LocalStories #KingstonStories #Season10

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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New Episode

What’s the difference between enjoying a glass of wine and actually understanding what’s in your glass?

On this episode of The Kingstonian Podcast, I sit down with Ian Nicholls, a sommelier and wine educator, to explore the fascinating world of wine — without getting too technical or taking ourselves too seriously.

Ian takes us through his own journey into the hospitality and wine industries; explains what becoming a sommelier really involves; what VQA means, how to approach a wine tasting, and perhaps the most important question of all: How do you figure out what wine you actually like?

We then head to Prince Edward County, Ontario, to discover what makes the region such an important wine destination.  Ian also tells us about CountySips, his guided wine experiences, and a special event planned for November 7th, 2026 - Judgement of Kingston. 

HASHTAGS:

#TheKingstonianPodcast #KingstonOntario #Wine #PrinceEdwardCounty #CountySips #WineTasting #JudgementOfKingston #BGCSouthEast

For more info on the event: www.judgementofkingston.ca 

For info on his guided wine tours: www.countysips.com 

To contact him directly: [email protected] 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

Send us Fan Mail

Repeat Episode:

This episode takes us back to 2019, when I had the opportunity to sit down with Daniel Woolf, then Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University.

I invited Daniel to share his memories of Alfred Bader—a Queen’s graduate whose remarkable life took him from Kingston to a highly successful career in business and philanthropy in the United States.

But despite his success, Alfred Bader never forgot Queen’s. Over the years, he and the foundation he established made a number of transformative contributions to the university, leaving a lasting mark on the institution and its community.

So, who was Alfred Bader? What made his connection to Queen’s so special? And why did he continue to give back to the university he remembered so fondly?

In this episode, Daniel Woolf shares his recollections of Alfred Bader and offers a personal perspective on the remarkable bond between a man and his university.

This episode is a repeat broadcast - part of Season 10

Hashtags: #AlfredBader #DanielWoolf #QueensUniversity #Philanthropy #RememberingBader

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Sequel Episode:

Four and a half years can feel like an eternity in a war.

When our conversation was first recorded, Russia's full-scale invasion had only just begun. Ukraine's survival was the immediate concern, and the world was watching to see whether Kyiv would fall. Instead, Ukraine resisted — and the war evolved into one of the defining geopolitical conflicts of the twenty-first century.

Much has changed since then. Ukraine has developed new forms of military and technological innovation, particularly in the use of drones. Its people have endured displacement and loss while maintaining a remarkable determination to preserve their independence. Meanwhile, Russia's war effort has continued under Vladimir Putin, and the international coalition supporting Ukraine has faced its own political and economic pressures.

But some questions remain remarkably persistent: What does Putin ultimately want? How long can Russia continue the war? How sustainable is Western support? What will happen to Zelensky when the fighting ends? And perhaps most importantly, what will peace actually mean for Ukraine?

For Lubomyr Luciuk, these aren't simply questions of geopolitics. His Ukrainian ancestry, academic work, travels and personal connections have given him a relationship with the country that extends well beyond the headlines.

This new conversation is therefore both a look at the war as it stands today and a reflection on what four and a half years of war have meant for a nation, its people and those who remain connected to Ukraine from afar.

HASHTAGS:

#StandWithUkraine #UkraineWar #UkraineIndependence #UkrainianHistory #LubomyrLuciuk

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Repeat Episode:

As part of the 10th season of The Kingstonian Podcast, we're revisiting some conversations from the program's early years.

In this episode, we go back to 2017 for a conversation with Scott and Chris Bell, longtime members of Kingston's Rob Roy Pipe Band and Highland Dancers.

Scott and Chris share their passion for the pipes and drums, talk about the world of competition, and discuss the opportunities available for those interested in learning these instruments and becoming involved in the tradition of pipe bands and Highland dancing.

Originally aired as a program on Queen's Radio, this conversation is now being presented as part of our Season 10 Replay Series.

Suggested Hashtags

#Season10  #KingstonOntario #RobRoyPipeBand #HighlandDancing 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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New Episode: 

Few lives have followed a path as extraordinary as Harvey Brownstone's.

Raised in Hamilton and a graduate of Queen's University's Faculty of Law, Harvey overcame childhood bullying, family rejection, poverty, and discrimination to become Canada's first openly gay judge. During his distinguished 26-year career on the Ontario Court of Justice, he earned a reputation for compassion, innovation, and a deep commitment to making the justice system more accessible.

Today, Harvey has embarked on an entirely new chapter as host of the internationally acclaimed Harvey Brownstone Interviews, featuring conversations with some of the world's best-known entertainers, authors, and public figures.

His bestselling memoir, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge, is an honest, often humorous, and deeply moving account of the obstacles he faced—and the people who helped him overcome them. The book has become a national bestseller and is being adapted into a Hollywood feature film.

More than a conversation about law, this is a story of resilience, kindness, humour, and the extraordinary difference that one encouraging voice can make in another person's life.

Connect with Harvey Brownstone

• YouTube: Harvey Brownstone Interviews
• Book: Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge
• Podcast: Harvey Brownstone Interviews

HASHTAGS:

#TheKingstonianPodcast #HarveyBrownstone #WithoutPrejudice #Justice 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

Send us Fan Mail

This tenth-season episode is a return to one of the early conversations from The Kingstonian Podcast archives.

It features my conversation with John Gerretsen and his son, Mark, originally recorded in October 2016 and first published in April 2018.

Both have served Kingston as City Councillors and Mayors. Following his time as Mayor, John went on to serve for 19 years as a Member of Provincial Parliament. Mark, after his time around the horseshoe at Kingston City Hall, was elected in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands.

As part of our tenth season, I’m pleased to revisit this conversation with two people whose public service has had a lasting impact on Kingston.

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

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Economic development is a phrase we hear almost every day—but what does it actually mean, and how does it affect the communities where we live and work?

In this episode, host Dave Cunningham sits down with Lindsey Fair, whose career has spanned entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, community partnerships, and economic development. Lindsey discusses how organizations can grow by combining strategic thinking with authentic community engagement.

The conversation explores Lindsey's career journey, how she transitioned from small business into leadership roles, and what she has learned about helping municipalities, educational institutions, entrepreneurs and organizations achieve sustainable growth.

Dave and Lindsey also discuss the changing world of marketing, including the growing importance of social media, digital communications and brand strategy, while examining how traditional media continues to play an important role.

The interview also takes a personal turn as Lindsey reflects on the impact that Junior Chamber International (Jaycees) had on her leadership development, the inspiration behind the book Trucker Management: Driving Small Business to Success, co-written with Matt Hutcheon, and her current work with Invest Ottawa supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.

Hashtags:  #The KingstonianPodcast, #EconomicDevelopment, #Entrepreneurship, #Marketing Strategy, #BusinessGrowth, #InvestOttawa, #BrandStrategy, #Communications

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

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Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of the podcast, Dave Cunningham welcomes award-winning journalist , Maegen Kulchar, for a conversation about the evolving world of local news.

The discussion explores Maegen’s journey into journalism through Carleton University and Niagara College, early years reporting for CKWS-TV in Kingston, and the dramatic shift that followed the 2025 restructuring and layoffs at the local television station.

Now reporting for the Kingston Whig-Standard, Maegen reflects on the transition from television to print journalism, the changing habits of news consumers, the influence of social media and artificial intelligence, and the challenges — and importance — of strong local reporting.

The conversation also highlights the nationally recognized story that earned the E. Cora Hind Award for Local Reporting in a medium market.

A thoughtful discussion about journalism, community, and the future of local storytelling.

If you have a story idea that you think our guest might be interested in, send her an email ... [email protected]

#LocalNews  #Journalism  #YGK  #Storytelling  #KingstonWhigStandard
 #NewsMedia
 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm) 

Send us Fan Mail

This archival episode features a 2017 conversation with the late Jim Neill, recorded when this program was still airing as a radio show.

Jim Neill was well known in Kingston, Ontario, for his decades of public service as a teacher, community activist, school board trustee, and Kingston city councillor. In this conversation, Jim reflects on several civic issues facing Kingston at the time, including development proposals along Princess Street, transportation planning, and discussion surrounding the city’s third crossing project.

Recorded nearly nine years before his passing in April 2026, the conversation offers insight into Jim’s thoughtful approach to leadership, community engagement, and municipal politics.

Beyond the local issues discussed, this episode stands as a reminder of the lasting impact that dedicated community-minded individuals can have on the places they serve.

HASHTAGS: #JimNeill #YGK #MunicipalPolitics #KingstonHistory #CityCouncil #CommunityVoices #RememberingJimNeill #KingstonPodcast 

Our theme music is “Stasis Oasis”,  by Tim Aylesworth

Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram,  & Threads 

Send comments & suggestions to  [email protected] 

Episodes also air weekly on CJAI at 101.3fm (Tue. at 4pm)