Non-Partisan Hacks
Hosted by two Parksville city councillors, Non-Partisan Hacks brings you behind the scenes of how government really works — without the spin, the shouting, or the partisanship. We dive into the practical, the absurd, and the oddly inspiring world of local government, while mixing in the occasional provincial and federal twist. Expect real talk about decision-making, budgets, bylaws, and political hot potatoes — with a healthy dose of humour and honesty.
Zero Percent Problem with Chris Brown from Cross Border Interviews
Is a 0% property tax increase really something to celebrate? Or is it just kicking the financial can down the road? In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, we’re joined by Chris Brown, host of Cross Border Interviews, for a candid conversation about municipal responsibility, political courage, and the dangerous allure of short-term wins. We dig […]
From Paralympics to Public Office with Michelle Stilwell
Welcome to Non-Partisan Hacks, where hosts Sean Wood and Joel Grenz, both Parksville city councillors, take you behind the scenes of good governance. This episode is extra special as we welcome our very first guest, Michelle Stilwell—Paralympic champion, former MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, and passionate advocate for inclusive communities. Michelle shares her journey from winning gold […]
Horse, Cart, and 2,000 Elected Officials Walk Into a Conference…
In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks, Joel and Sean return from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Ottawa. We share what we learned, who we met, and why it matters back home. We cover how FCM gives local governments a collective voice on national issues—from aging infrastructure to housing targets—and why property taxes alone […]
Good Government Should Be Boring… So Why Are You Still Listening?
In our inaugural episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, we dive headfirst into the world of local government — the meetings, the budgets, the sewage (yes, really). Joel Granz and Sean Wood explain why they started this podcast, why politics doesn’t have to be partisan, and why boring government is actually a good thing. We take on regional […]
