Electric Sky

In the same way that many people figured Wayne Gretzky would always play hockey, I cannot imagine a time when William Hawkins, Bill, will no longer be driving his cab. And driving a cab is only one of the many lives he has led. Bill was part of the Ottawa music scene that centered around […]

I released my very first Podcast on April 29, 2005. Tod Maffin made me do it. That is to say, I heard him talk about podcasting during a technology segment on CBC Radio. That, combined with Brent Bambury’s announcement that he was leaving CBC Ottawa resulted in the launch of Electric Sky. Electric Sky led […]

In many respects, Alex Overwijk reminds me of my own high school math teachers – passionate, a good sense of humour and a unexpected skill that everyone knows them for. Alex is an unlikely celebrity for a viral YouTube video of him drawing a perfect freehand circle. Show ID and Intro Interview with Alex Overwijk […]

Since 2002, Pam Hunter has been organizing annual Scrabble tournaments to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. I dropped in on this year’s event and learned that, like baseball, Scrabble is rich with strategy and language including speed games, board-vision, heavy tiles and “box scores”. Show ID and Intro Interviews with participants and event organizer, Pam […]

Quite by chance, my family and I learned about the CD release party for The World Voices Choir, an event that took place just over a month ago.  We made it a family event — that includes our two daughters ages five and seven.  It was an amazing and inspirational experience, and it raised money […]

On a recent visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature, we were polled for our opinions on a proposed exhibit on water. A display of four concepts were on display for public comment. I had never considered how museum exhibits were conceived, planned and pulled together. Show ID and Intro Interview with June Creelman of […]

Thomas Wartenberg has created an entire program for his philosophy class at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The program teaches his students how to facilitate a philosophical discussion with grade 1 through 5 students using picture books. The results are amazing. Show ID and Intro Interview with Thomas Wartenberg Philosophy for Children The […]

For no apparent reason, I have always assumed that any coast guard operation was a military outfit. It turns out I was wrong. To learn more, I sat down with the Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Mr. George Da Pont. Show ID and Intro Interview with Commissioner George Da Pont Search and Rescue Ice […]

This is an unusual episode of Electric Sky in which I cut loose with my other Rogic Conglomerites to bring you a festive song. Thank you very much for being a part of the Electric Sky audience. All the best to you and yours for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season – no matter […]

During a recent conversation about social media, my friend, Stephen Hardiman, started to talk about storytelling as a business tool. It was one of those times when I cut people off and tell them to save it for when the tape is rolling. Since Stephen has a radio background – he hosted Expert Radio, a […]

As a gift for his fiftieth birthday, Suzanne Roy-Seguin helped her husband, Yves Seguin, realize his dream of experiencing the launch of a Space Shuttle. I spoke with them about how they experienced this incredible event given that Yves is blind and Suzanne is legally blind – both from Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Show ID […]

I’m finally putting some energy back into creating a documentary on honesty and I need your help – this after a year-and-a-half of threatening to do so. I’m looking for email and audio comments that will be used anonymously on my program. I’m looking for you to provide any of the following information: What is […]

Sheree Fitch is the author of more than twenty children’s picture and poetry books, a young adult book called Gravesavers, and several plays. During a conversation with Sheree for Just One More Book (another Podcast I produce with my wife, Andrea), Sheree introduced an idea she has called The Theology of Nonsense. I had to […]

I attended the Railfair 2006 at Algonquin College in Ottawa. The setups were incredibly elaborate and the exhibitors were more than happy to talk about their hobbies. Show ID and Intro Interview with Neil Hutton of Cumberland Third Rail Railfair 2006 video on YouTube How to subscribe to Electric Sky – it’s free.

Sometimes a chance meeting can take place when you grab the wrong airport shuttle. That’s exactly what happened to me when I arrived in San Francisco this past June. I shared a shuttle with Thomas Grande and his wife. Mr. Grande practices Qui Tam law and he gave me a brief education before we arrived […]

There’s a certain irony with the timing of this episode. Nevertheless, I am amazed by Ashley’s passion for, and commitment to, her rabbits. Show ID and intro Interview with Ashley LaFave of the Spencerville Hillside Rabbitry How to subscribe to Electric Sky – it’s free.

It’s a simple idea: wear red on Fridays to show support for the troops and families of the Canadian military. It’s not about politics or ideology. It’s about people. It’s called Red Fridays and it was organized by Karen Boire and Lisa Miller. Show ID and Intro Interview with Karen Boire and Lisa Miller Married […]

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is touring the world as part of the celebration of the Art of Living Foundation's twenty-fifth anniversary. I spoke with him during his stop in Ottawa.