The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, called Beyond the Fear, I explore fear as a constant companion in our lives.

I am joined by entrepreneur and author Cory Davison, and endurance athlete and mountaineer Jill Wheatley, who each bring their own lived experience with fear and resilience.

This conversation offers a deeper look at how we can move beyond fear, not by eliminating it, but being curious about it and learning how to walk with it.

This week on The Spotlight Hour - Game on Calgary - I'm taking you inside the world of esports and how Calgary is stepping into it in a big way.

I'm joined by Eddie Sargent, Associate Dean of the Chiu School of Business, who shares why the college invested in a state-of-the-art arena and new digital-career pathways.

Then varsity Valorant players Dennis Asham and Chris Rosquillo bring the competitive world to life, from high-level gameplay to culture, community, and the future of esports in Calgary.

How can we get the next-gen workforce ready?

It starts with that very first job.

And this generation of young people is entering the workforce at a challenging time, with youth unemployment at around 15 percent in Calgary.

Still, there are opportunities and practical ways to help youth take those first steps with confidence.

My guests are Sam Wright with the City of Calgary's Youth Employment Centre and Avra Davidoff, a registered psychologist and children's author, with grounded advice, encouragement and insight.

Longevity is more than a trend. It is a movement reshaping how we think about health, aging, and the choices we make today that shape our tomorrow.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am exploring what it truly means to live longer and live well.

I'm sitting down with Raman Kapoor of the DIL Walk Foundation and Dr. Zahra Goodarzi, a leading geriatrician, about longevity, super agers and adding more life to our years, not just years to our lives.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am reconnecting with two past recipients of Global Calgary's long-running Woman of Vision program, featuring women whose influence continues to shape Calgary and beyond.

I am sitting down with Chef Judy Wood, who we featured in 1999, and Manjit Minhas, was was honoured in 2011.

Together, they reflect on defining moments, hard-won lessons, and the ways they continue to lift others up.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am celebrating International Women's Day by reconnecting with two inspiring and visionary women.

In my role, as a news anchor and reporter at Global Calgary, I also had the privilege of interviewing over 170 women as part of the Woman of Vision program.

In a monthly news segment and column in the Calgary Herald we featured their inspiring journeys and highlighted how they were making a difference in our community.

In this two-episode series, I wanted to revisit just a few of those stories and find...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, I'm exploring two conversations that look at the heart of Indigenous storytelling and humour.

Comedian and Sixties Scoop survivor, Paul Kuster, shares how he's woven his lived experience into his stand-up performances and why comedy is a way of sparking change.

And Indigenous educator Crystal Many Fingers brings insight into how storytelling can shape identity and healing, and build bridges.

This conversation is about listening and learning about the past and how humour can bring people together.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I sit down with two of Alberta's behind-the-scenes creators; stunt coordinator Sally Bishop and costume designer Jennifer Haffenden.

From action sequences to character-defining wardrobe, they share how movie magic is made long before the cameras roll.

A fun look at the artistry, collaboration, and craftsmanship powering our local film and television industry.

A Valentine's love letter to Calgary. Tourism Calgary President and CEO Alisha Reynolds shares how the city is being showcased on the world stage, while historian and author Shaun Hunter uncovers the stories and letters that shaped Calgary's identity,

Plus some notable Calgarians share what they love most about our city.

A warm heartfelt celebration of Calgary's past, present, and future.

This episode of The Spotlight Hour explores how mentorship shapes Calgary's future, from supporting young people through Big Brothers, Big Sisters to helping newcomers build confidence and careers through TIES, The Immigrant Education Society.

Guests Ken Lima-Coelho and Mayssoun Hniedi share how one supportive relationship can change a life and strengthen an entire community.

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen: Olympic Dreams, Calgary Roots, I'm taking you inside Canada's road to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games with two people who know the world of sports very well.

You'll hear from Sunshine Village's Kendra Scurfield, and longtime sport leader and Paralympian Patrick Jarvis, as we talk about Calgary's winter-sport identity, some of the athletes to watch, and what it really takes to build Olympic dreams in 2026.

It is a conversation full of insight, passion, and Calgary pride and will leave you ready to put that Canadian...

This episode of The Spotlight Hour: Never Give Up-A Story of Cancer Research and Resilience, brings together two remarkable Calgarians who are working towards a future without cancer.

You'll hear from 90-year old Tom Shindruk, a four-time cancer survivor, businessman and author, and Dr. Doug Mahoney, a leading immunotherapy researcher doing work that is putting Calgary in the spotlight when it comes to breakthrough discoveries.

It is a conversation about courage, innovation, and the hope driving the search for a cure.

This episode is going to tug at your heart, especially if you're an animal lover like me.

I am highlighting the tireless work of animal support and rescue groups in Calgary and Alberta. My guests are Leanne Niblock, from the Alberta SPCA and Deanna Thompson of AARCS.

They will tell you we are in a crisis situation when it comes to animal welfare in our province.

You'll hear more about the important work they're doing to support animals in need, from those in distress, abandoned or surrendered.

And we'll hear how...

This episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen takes us right out of this world and into space!

Settle in for a fascinating conversation with two Calgary scientists as we learn about the exciting research being done right in our own backyard.

Joining me are Dr. Johnathan Burchill and Dr. David Knudsen, both from the University of Calgary's Department of Physics and Astronomy.

We'll explore Calgary's first student-built satellite project and learn much more about the beautiful and mysterious northern lights.

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I am exploring the local magazine industry, led by two remarkable women who have helped shape conversations in our community about health and fitness and parenting.

My guests are Ellen Percival of Calgary's Child Magazine and Elaine Kupser of Impact Magazine.

They share their experiences running two local publications for over 30 years and how magazines are seeing a bit of a resurgence.

What do you do if you've had a big shift in your life?

Whether it is in your job or your personal life, how do you take the next steps to reclaim your identity.

Joining me on this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen are author Trish Exton-Parder and CFL Hall of Famer and former Calgary Stampeders star running back, Jon Cornish.

I've talked about reinvention, or starting the next chapter, on this podcast before, but I wanted to dig deeper.

And these two great Calgarians share their journeys...

Volunteerism is changing and what does that mean to our community.

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I am talking with Otto Siltzer with the Lions Club of Calgary and Katie Dodd of Volunteer Calgary about the shift in volunteerism and how that might be impacting service clubs, like the Lions, in particular.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen I'm exploring a skill shift-the changing demands of today's workforce.

My guests are Margo Purcell, CEO of InceptionU in Calgary and D'Andre Wilson, Chair of the LearningCity Collective.

We unpack how technology, soft skills, and work-integrated learning are reshaping careers and preparing the next generation for success.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, I am diving into Calgary's vibrant music scene.

Meet local artist Damase Elis, who taps into her Metis-Colombian heritage with her indie-folk-blues inspired songs.

And Colleen Krueger from Music Calgary joins me to discuss how that organization is helping support emerging local artists.

This week on The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, it is all about baking!

This episode is called Profiles in Pastry and we will explore the stories of local bakers who are blending science, culture, and craft.

Said M'Dahoma, the Pastry Nerd, brings French precision and Comorian flavours together, while Douglas Gregory and Lauren Anh of Mari Bakeshop share the artistry behind their roll cakes and choux pastry.

And you won't want to miss their descriptions of some of their most delicious creations. You'll be rushing out to buy or bake after this...

As we approach Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, this episode of The Spotlight Hour focuses on the social impact that can change lives thanks to the generosity of Calgarians.

I am talking with Karen Young, President and CEO of United Way of Calgary and Area, and Joy Bowen-Eyre of The Alex Community Health Centre. They show us how leading with kindness can spark real change.

Are you a book lover?

Canadians do love to read, spending hours browsing in book stores or online to find the latest novel or non-fiction work to spark our curiosity or as a way to escape into another world. I have been in a book club for 17 years, myself! I love exploring new genres and learning something new.

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, I am talking with Calgary author, Natalie Sue, about her first published novel, "I Hope This Finds you Well", and Ryan Smith, co-owner of Owl's Nest Books...

In this week's episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, I am focusing on a powerful and important display in Calgary, The Field of Crosses.

It features thousands of white crosses to honour and remember our fallen.

I am talking with Sean Libin, who is with the Field of Crosses Memorial Project, about it's importance in our community as an educational display and a place to pause on November 11th and honour those lives lost.

I am also talking with Brad Pierce and John Q Adams of Valour Canada about their work...

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I am talking with Kathleen Sorensen, author of Living in the Land of the Uprights who shares the story of her son, Thomas. Thomas had a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and she talks about all the joys and challenges her family faced. My second guest is Katherine Such, CEO of Easter Seals Alberta, talking about the work this non-profit is doing for children and adults with disabilities.

Let's go behind the scenes of the Calgary Stampede! This week, I sit down with Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede and Mark Eriksen, producer of the Grandstand Show, to find out how this year's event went and what's ahead. We talk about some of wild foods on the midway (worm poutine, anyone?) plus find out what it takes to put on that amazing drone show!

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour: Prairie Lights, I'm talking with two people deeply involved in shaping movie magic, one behind the scenes, one behind the camera.

Join me for some great conversations with Calgary's new Film Commissioner, Adnaan Wasey, and celebrated director, David Winning.

Have you ever wondered how the things you do today could shape your brain health decades from now? In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, we are taking a closer look at what you can do for your own brain health starting now. I am talking with Dr. Zahra Goodarzi and Dr. Dilpriya Mangat about their work in dementia and what we can all do to improve our cognitive health.

The sharing of knowledge between generations. When it comes to entrepreneurs it is a winning approach! In this episode, we talk to legendary business leader and philanthropist Jim Gray about the recognition program he started, Top 7 Over 70. We'll hear about his business journey and why that sharing of wisdom between generations is so important. Plus, we talk to a recipient of the Top 7 awards, Marjorie Zingle, who is still creating new business opportunities into her 90's.

This week, The Spotlight Hour is about Game Changers, local leaders doing more than just playing to win in sport & community.

You’ll meet the visionaries behind two of the hottest tickets in town, Jason Ribeiro of Calgary Surge and Lara Murphy of Calgary Wild FC.

Plus, someone who has been sharing the stories of what sports means to Calgarians for decades, Chris Dornan.

Kicking off the first episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am talking about Fresh Starts, people who have stepped into a new chapter in their lives. Joining me are longtime broadcaster Gord Gillies, Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji from United Way, and Ryan Lomberg of the Calgary Flames.

Heads up! First episode coming September 20th at 9am MT.