Overheard Podcast

You’ve seen the image. Now meet the photographer behind it.

We sat down with @JulesJimreivat at the @BanffCentreMountainFilm to talk about the photograph chosen to represent the 2026 festival, and the journey that brought her behind the camera.

Her shot with the moon rising between the cliffs, made Jules the first woman in 21 years to photograph the festival’s signature image. We get into how she captured it, what went into making that moment happen, and what it means to see her work become such a big part of the festival.

Some people come to the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival with stories that make you want to pack a bag and head out the door. Keith Partridge left us wanting to bring a camera, too.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with adventure filmmaker Keith Partridge to talk about his exploits, life behind the camera, and sharing that experience with the next group of filmmakers.

After being inspired by the Adventure Filmmakers Workshop, we wanted to spend more time with the people behind it. Keith...

Getting into the mountains is one thing. Bringing home a story that captures how it felt to be there is a whole other challenge.

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with director, cinematographer, and producer Michael Brown at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to talk adventure filmmaking, his relationship with the mountains, and the experiences that shape his approach behind the camera.

After leaving the Adventure Filmmakers Workshop feeling inspired and motivated, we wanted to keep the conversation going. We talk with Michael about...

Everyone says to get out there and experience life. Finding the time, money and confidence to do it is another story.

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we’re joined by Adam and Morgan from The HOWL Experience, a Canmore based charitable organization helping young people build confidence, find connection and discover direction through hands on, land based learning.

From the pressure to choose a career to the cost of trying something new, we explore how young people are supposed to figure out their futures when opportunities to explore them can fe...

Some milestones deserve a whole room of people cheering you on.

This week, we’re on location celebrating Scott Walker’s first officially published book and catching the action at his release and signing. If you joined us for episode 70, you’ll recognize Scott. This time, we’re catching up as he turns a new page in his mental health advocacy.

Before getting into the celebrations, we sit down with Andrea, a longtime friend of Scott’s and fellow mental health advocate, to help set the stage for the occasion.

...

A vote meant to send a message could give politicians permission to do something you never intended.

That’s one of the concerns we unpack with Banff–Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi as we dig into Alberta’s referendum, what the questions are asking and how the results could be used long after the ballots are counted.

Sarah is clear about where she stands. We get into why she opposes these proposals, what she believes the wording leaves open to interpretation, and how voters can weigh the promises being made against the outcom...

The closer we look at nature, the harder it becomes to fit it into neat little boxes.

A few weeks ago, during the public run of the Queer(y)ing Ecologies art exhibition at artsPlace in Canmore, we stepped inside the gallery to explore the artwork, stories and ideas behind the project.

In this episode, we’re joined by Tanya, a queer ecologist from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley who played a major role in curating the exhibition and bringing it to life.

Together, we ex...

Banff knows how to welcome the world. But what does it take to feel like you belong here?

With Banff Pride just around the corner, we sit down with River, a longtime Bow Valley local and Banff Pride volunteer coordinator, for a conversation about queer community in a town where people are always coming and going.

We talk about River’s first experiences of Pride in Banff, the moments that have stayed with them, and why this week matters beyond the shows and celebrations. We also get into what it looks li...

Can cooking dinner help protect the Bow Valley?

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, we head to the Co + Kitchen in Canmore for the Harnessing the Power of Food workshop, hosted in partnership with the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.

We were given a Bow Valley Food Alliance Fresh Food Box, split into teams and tasked with putting our own twist on a selection of provided recipes. Along the way, we learned practical ways to reduce food waste, make the most of what is available locally and seasonally, and...

You only get one debut album, and Tyler Wood left nothing off the table.

Less than 24 hours after the release of Launchpad, we sat down with the Canmore singer songwriter to talk about the years of life, personal struggles and musical influences behind the record.

Tyler takes us back to his formative years, his time in Brazil and the heavy metal music that first made him feel something. We get into finding his voice, building a recognizable identity and eventually making the transition into country music, even when he was not...

By popular demand, Banff ultramarathon runner Samuel Dickie joins us on the Overheard Podcast, fresh off the biggest win of his career.

Sam recently became the overall winner of the 2026 Canadian Death Race, completing 118 kilometers and roughly 4,770 meters of climbing in an incredible 13 hours, 25 minutes and 13 seconds. That victory adds to a racing resume that already includes winning the 120-kilometer Golden Ultra, placing second at the Zion 100K and finishing ninth in the Moab 240, a nearly 400-kilometer race through the Utah desert.

But this conversation goes far beyond race results.

We’re heading back to Cascade Creek to witness the next chapter in the restoration of this incredible ecosystem and the return of the native westslope cutthroat trout.

We’re joined by Dan from Parks Canada and Leslie from Freshwater Conservation Canada as a group of volunteers installs PALS, or post assisted log structures, directly into the creek.

They might not look like much at first glance, but these carefully placed structures could play a huge role in the progress of the trout and the long term health of Cascade Creek. In t...

Turns out Canada’s worst golf courses might not be so bad after all.

Casey James is a Calgary-born tattoo artist, father of two and lifelong golfer who is travelling across the country in search of overlooked small-town courses. But despite the name of his series, he isn’t showing up to tear these places apart.

He’s uncovering hidden gems, meeting the people keeping them alive and proving that rough greens, affordable tee times and a welcoming clubhouse can deliver every bit as much fun as an exclusive luxury resort.

...

What does the Chamber of Commerce really do?

This week, Dan sits down with Sarah and Simon from the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce to talk about what happens behind the scenes when local businesses need support, connection or someone in their corner.

We get into membership, advocacy, mentorship and what it takes to build a stronger business community in a place as unique as the Bow Valley. We also look ahead to the Business Excellence Awards on November 12, including how nominations work, what separates these awards from Best of the...

What does it take to climb all 58 of the Canadian Rockies’ 11,000-foot peaks?

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we’re joined by Canmore-based alpinist and former Canadian biathlete Haldan Borglum. After spending nearly two decades competing at the highest levels of biathlon, Haldan stepped away from elite sport and turned his focus to the mountains, completing one of the most demanding alpine projects in Canada in just over two years.

We trace that journey from his childhood and years on the biathlon circuit to discovering mountaineering, learning the technical skills requ...

Climate change is usually talked about through numbers, emissions and policy. But what happens when we start talking about how it feels?

In this episode of the Overheard Podcast, recorded live in Banff, we sit down with Cory Beaver immediately following the Braiding Knowledges workshop hosted by the Biosphere Institute to explore the connection between climate change, mental health and our relationship with the land.

Together, we unpack climate anxiety, grief, responsibility, Indigenous knowledge and the role community plays in carrying challenges that are simply too big for one person to...

Metalheads can look intimidating from the outside, but Kasey Nolan says the community behind the music is often one of the most welcoming places you can find.

Kasey is a Banff-based musician, independent promoter and the founder of Beauty In Chaos Productions. For more than a decade, he has helped create space for punk, metal and alternative music in the Bow Valley, connecting local artists with bands from across Alberta and beyond.

He is also the founder of Canmore AMPfest, an all-ages festival built to showcase the full range of alternative...

What does the Bow Valley taste like?

Chef Tracy A. Little has spent years trying to answer that question through Sauvage, her Canmore restaurant built around wild ingredients, ethical sourcing and food that feels connected to the place it comes from.

In this episode, Tracy takes us through the full story, from growing up in northern Alberta and learning to hunt, fish and forage with her father, to professional kitchens, taking over Tapas in Canmore and eventually turning it into one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the Bow Valley.<...

Cave Arcade make the kind of music that sounds like summer slipping away in real time.

Right after their performance at the Banff Centre Amphitheatre, we sat down with the Canmore indie-rock band to figure out how four guys from the mountains ended up making music soaked in reverb, surf-rock influence and just enough sadness to keep it interesting.

We get into where the name Cave Arcade came from and what it was like releasing their first EP in 2020 at possibly the strangest time to launch a new band.

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Side Hustle started as a family playing music together during the pandemic. Somewhere along the way, the experiment became a real band, and after seeing them take over the Banff Centre Amphitheatre, it is pretty clear they are not treating this like a casual side project.

They are a family band in the truest sense, but they completely over-deliver when you put them on a premium stage. The chemistry is natural, the musicianship is tight, and there is something genuinely special about watching people who know each other this well build a performance together.

The Motown 6 may have Motown in the name, but Jo and Arif made it clear their sound goes much further than that.

This is really a band about soul in the broadest sense. Feeling the music, reading the room and creating the kind of live show where the audience becomes part of what is happening.

We talked about where that sound comes from, how they built it and why playing live still matters so much, especially in a setting as surreal as the outdoor stage at Banff Centre. Mountains behind you...

Kayla Williams had barely stepped off the Banff Centre stage with the Yacht Daddies before sitting down with us for a full conversation about yacht pop, big summer energy and the kind of live show that makes you feel like there should be a yacht floating down the Bow River.

We get into what makes the sound work, the personality behind it and why this style of music feels especially right when the sun is out, the drinks are cold and nobody is taking themselves too seriously.

Kayla and the Yacht...

Miss Rizz has a personality big enough to fill the best stage in Banff, and this full conversation gives you the complete experience. @marissagell

To Miss Rizz, karaoke is not just about picking a song and hoping you remember the words. It is an experience, a way of life and, under the right circumstances, a chance to transcend on stage in front of a room full of strangers.

As the host, she takes the pressure off everyone else. She brings the energy, works the crowd and is willing to take the...

From building their own lane in Calgary to earning recognition across Canada, Sargeant X Comrade have spent more than a decade proving that some of the most compelling music happens when artists stop chasing trends and start trusting their vision.

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with the Calgary-based Lo-Fi Soul duo to talk about staying independent, launching their own label, creating music without compromise, and building a sound that didn’t fit neatly into any existing box. We also explore how they’ve cultivated a community around their music, one where list...

Banff has no shortage of nightlife in the summer, but if you’re looking for an alternative to the crowds, lineups, and chaos of Banff Avenue, there’s a new venue quietly building something special just up the hill.

Ahead of his Peak Laughs appearance at CLVB ’33, we sat down with Canadian comedian Faris Hytiaa for a conversation about Alberta audiences, performing everywhere from small-town bars to headline theatres, finding comedy in unexpected places, and his first impressions of Banff.

The conversation also shines a light on one of Banff’s newest e...

Most people arrive in Banff expecting to stay for a season.

A winter chasing powder. A summer chasing adventure. Then somehow years go by.

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with Pete Rothery, snowboard instructor, musician, world traveller, Parks worker, and long-time Bow Valley resident, to talk about building a life in the mountains without following a conventional path.

Originally from Saddleworth, England, Pete first came to Canada at 18 years old to earn his snowboard instructor qualifications in Jasper. What began as a short-term...

Mayor Corrie DiManno returns to the Overheard Podcast for her second appearance to discuss the biggest issues shaping Banff today.

Since we last sat down during the municipal election, the conversation has evolved. Housing projects are moving forward, child care remains a critical challenge, tourism continues to grow, and transportation is becoming an increasingly important part of Banff’s future. We also dive into one of Alberta’s most talked-about political issues: the growing conversation around Alberta separation, what it means for Banff, and why the Mayor felt it was important to publicly address it.

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we’re joined by Daisy and Andrea from the Bow Valley SPCA, Canada’s very first no-cage, no-kill adoption centre.

In this conversation, we go far beyond the walls of the shelter. We unpack many of the challenges facing pets and pet owners here in the Bow Valley, from housing and affordability pressures to the realities of responsible pet ownership in a mountain community.

We also explore some of the most common misconceptions surrounding shelter animals, breed stereotypes, animal allergies, medical conditions, and why so many...

Fresh off another scouting mission for his next record-breaking jet boat jump, viral sensation and world record holder Dusty Friesen (@dustydoeser) is back on the Overheard Podcast.

This time, we catch up with Dusty after an unsuccessful trip to scope out a potential new jump. We dive into what goes into scouting locations, why this particular spot wasn’t worth risking Dent, and the decision-making process behind some of the wildest stunts on the internet.

We also talk about the realities of maintaining a record-breaking jet boat, the upgrades and repairs th...

This week on Overheard, we sit down with author, award-winning photographer and Oesa Arts founder Amal Alhomsi for a conversation about creativity, community, art, solitude and the future of Banff’s cultural identity.

Originally from Syria, Amal studied Comparative Literature & Theology in North Carolina before completing a Master’s in Ecocriticism at UBC. For the past seven years, Banff has been home, and through Oesa Arts he has become one of the driving forces behind a growing movement to support local artists, foster genuine community connections and create alternatives to the traditional mountain town social scen...

From Australia to Augusta National, Luke Elvy has spent more than 30 years behind the microphone covering some of the biggest moments in sports.

Before becoming one of the driving forces behind CanGOLF in Canmore, Luke built an incredible broadcasting career that saw him call over 40 major championships and spend 15 years covering the PGA Tour. As part of CBS’s Emmy Award-winning Masters coverage, he spent a decade hosting holes 15 and 16 at Augusta National, calling nine holes-in-one and witnessing Tiger Woods’ historic 2019 Masters comeback victory.

Gamers may recognize his voice as well. Sinc...

Fresh off the jet boat jump that captured international attention, @dustydoeser joins us over the phone for his most in-depth interview ever.

After successfully sending a jet boat over Lundbreck Falls in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass, the internet exploded. Millions of views, headlines around the world, praise, criticism, and one question everyone wanted answered:

Why?

In this exclusive long-form conversation, Dusty goes far beyond the viral clips and headlines. We dive into the years of experience that led to this moment, the planning behind the record-breaking jump, th...

M Dot R pulled up to Banff.

Joined by George P, Jabari and Zee Highest, this episode goes way deeper than viral clips, controversy and internet opinions. We sat down with one of the most recognizable names in the UK underground scene for a real conversation about culture, criticism, going viral, staying grounded and the journey behind the millions of views.

Born and raised in Kent, England, M Dot R built his name blending UK rap, grime, dancehall and reggae into a sound that instantly stood out. Long before “Turn Red” expl...

Our guest this week is Nahanni McKay, a third generation Banff local, Métis multidisciplinary artist, photographer, skier, and one of the most outspoken creative voices in the Bow Valley.

In this episode we dive into the changing identity of Banff and the broader Bow Valley through the lens of someone who has grown up here her entire life. We talk about influencer culture, tourism, commercialization, conservation, mountain culture, colonial narratives, Parks Canada, the history of the Banff Sanatorium, and the tension between protecting a place and packaging it to be sold.

This week we sit down with longtime Bow Valley local and passionate angler Chris Karol for our first ever deep dive into fishing culture in Banff National Park, the Bow Valley, Alberta, and beyond.

Whether you’ve never touched a fishing rod before or you’ve spent years on the water, this episode breaks down everything from fly fishing basics and fishing regulations to conservation, fish species, river versus lake fishing, beginner mistakes, social media’s impact on fishing culture, and why the Bow Valley has become one of the most unique fishing destinations in Canada...

This week on the Overheard Podcast recorded live in Banff, we sit down with Cheryl for one of the most honest and important conversations we’ve had on the show.

Behind the postcard image of mountain life, there’s another reality people in the Bow Valley are quietly navigating every day. Mental health struggles, isolation, addiction, burnout, homesickness, pressure, and the challenge of asking for help in a small town where everyone feels connected.

As part of Bow Valley Mental Health and Addictions Week, Cheryl shares her personal experience living with seve...

This week on the Overheard Podcast, recorded live in Banff, we’re opening up a conversation that matters to this community right now.

As part of SVAM (Sexual Violence Awareness Month), we sit down with Melissa and Jemima to unpack how prevention, workplace culture, and everyday behaviour all intersect here in the Bow Valley.

Melissa works with Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence, bringing a research-driven approach to prevention, while Jemima leads local efforts through the Harmony Project with YWCA Banff. Together, they’re working directly with hospitality businesses across Banf...

Episode 116. Somewhere Between the Mountains and the Music with Andrew Staygold

You don’t last 20 years in Banff by accident.

You adapt, you grind, or you leave.

This week on the Overheard Podcast recorded live in Banff, we sat down with Andrew Staygold, a longtime local who has built a career in music from the ground up while living full time in the Bow Valley.

From arriving in 2004 to navigating the service and ski industry, to leaving town to chase music and ultimately returning to bu...

No matter what it was, he turned it into music.

This week on the Overheard Podcast, we sit down with Lil Beckta, an artist whose journey goes far beyond music. Originally from Winnipeg and now shaped by his time in Banff and the Bow Valley, this conversation is about growth, resilience, and figuring things out in real time.

From early life experiences and finding his creative voice, to navigating personal challenges and building something meaningful through music, Lil Beckta opens up about what it really takes to keep going. We talk...

If you’ve spent any time in Banff nightlife over the last two decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Gerry Roy. From hosting over 1000 karaoke nights to performing with Regal Foul and building Banff Punk Night from the ground up, Gerry has been a driving force behind the town’s underground music scene.

In this episode, we go deep into Gerry’s journey from arriving in Banff in 2000 with no long-term plan to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the local scene. We talk about what it takes to actually stay in a pla...