This is Vancouver Island

Every time the earth shakes on the island, we flock to social media to see who else felt the tremor. But did you know you can also report your experience to Earthquakes Canada, to help with future research? Seismologist John Cassidy explains how researchers like him rely on such information. Plus: the latest on the earthquake warning system.

Candidates are vying for votes in 15 provincial ridings on the Island. In recent elections, voters in their 30s and 40s have been least likely to show up at the polls - so we ask three islanders in that age category why they vote, what turns them off certain candidates, and what helps them decide who to choose. Plus, VIU professor Paula Waatainen on how to talk to kids and teens about elections.

She may live in Spain, and be competing in Paris, but wheelchair basketball star Kady Dandeneau got her start on Pender Island, population 2773. She talks to Kathryn Marlow about going for gold at the Paralympics, why she loves the game, and what it was like learning to play on Pender.

The 900-block of Victoria’s Pandora Avenue is often in the news, but it can be hard to keep track of the actions taken (or not) to manage the block where people who are homeless often congregate, and camp. On August 13, the Victoria Police Department released its new safety plan for Pandora - a plan written after a paramedic was assaulted while providing medical care. In this episode we recap the plan, and some of the reaction.

Some of Canada's first craft breweries are here on Vancouver Island - but business isn't booming quite like it used to. In fact, the latest statistics show that per capita beer purchases are the lowest they've ever been in Canada. So we meet up with the folks at two Victoria breweries - Spinnakers and Phillips - to learn how they're branching into the world of non-alcoholic beverages. 

Hey Vancouver Islanders! This week we're sharing an episode from one of our CBC local podcast friends, "Good Question Saskatchewan." Farmers in that province grow A LOT of mustard seed - and then ship it to France where it gets turned into the condiment you know and love. Why? Listen to find out. 

It’s summer on the Island! A time for beaches and forests…and tourists and ferries. Three islanders join host Kathryn Marlow to talk about what they love (and hate) about Island summer, what’s on their summer fun list, and how to find your new favourite places away from everyone else.

One of Canada's best-known drag queens, Jimbo, is based right here in Victoria. But the Victoria drag scene is more than just Jimbo. On this episode, local drag king Sylvester Stalletto talks about the differences between the glamour of Drag Race and the nitty-gritty of the Victoria drag scene. He also chats with producer Stevie Welland about what makes drag so popular here, how it’s helped him find his gender expression, and how he pulls inspiration from Chilean macho men.

When it comes to bookstores, islanders are beyond lucky. Our region has more independent bookstores than some entire provinces! In this episode, host Kathryn Marlow and her colleague Gregor Craigie dig into their love for bookstores, and share thoughts from the owners of Ivy's Bookshop in Oak Bay and Laughing Oyster Book Shop in Courtenay.

Carolyn Sutherland and Rhiannon Ware are athletes, entrepreneurs, and sports management students at Camosun College. They join Kathryn Marlow to talk about the current excitement over women’s sports (think PWHL and the WNBA), why the excitement needs to be more than just a moment, and the work they’re doing to help girls in greater Victoria develop a lifelong love for sport and fitness through their program PowHer Performance.