Can Seasonal Work Become a Career in Banff? Pete Rothery says: “Why Not?”

Can Seasonal Work Become a Career in Banff? Pete Rothery says: “Why Not?”

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 adventure evolved into a life built around mountain towns, seasonal work, travel, and a deep connection to the outdoors. Over the course of the conversation, we explore Pete’s journey from England to Canada, the realities of seasonal employment, the culture of snowboarding, instructing in both Canada and Japan, backcountry travel, mountain safety, music, and the challenges and rewards of creating a life outside the traditional nine-to-five model. One of the biggest themes of this episode is the idea that seasonal work doesn’t have to be temporary. In a place like the Bow Valley, many people arrive expecting a short stay, yet end up building careers, communities, and families. Pete shares his perspective on how he navigated that journey and what advice he would give to others hoping to do the same. We also discuss becoming a Canadian citizen, finding a sense of belonging far from home, and why Banff continues to attract people from around the world looking for something more than just a job. Whether you’re a snowboarder, a traveller, a mountain town local, or someone trying to figure out what comes next in life, there’s something in this conversation for you. A huge thank you to Pete for joining us and sharing his story. This episode is proudly brought to you by Drinkshaft, the Bow Valley’s favourite grab-and-go nitro cold brew coffee. A special shoutout as well to Defending Awesome, our official merch and print partner. If you’ve been seeing Overheard hats and gear around town lately, they’re the team that helped bring it all to life. Our full merch lineup is available now at www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com]. If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with someone who loves mountain life as much as we do. See you next Tuesday!!

Checking in with Banff’s Mayor Corrie DiManno

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. Throughout the conversation, we explore the difficult balance between supporting residents, welcoming millions of visitors each year, and planning for the long-term future of one of Canada’s most recognizable communities. Whether you’re a longtime Bow Valley resident, a newcomer, or someone who simply loves Banff, this episode offers an inside look at the conversations happening around the Council table and the decisions that will shape the town for years to come. If you enjoy these conversations, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the episode. Around 70% of our viewers aren’t subscribed, and it only takes a second to help support independent local journalism and storytelling. A huge thank you to our sponsor, Drinkshaft, for making this episode possible, and to Defending Awesome for keeping the Overheard merch looking sharp. Thanks for listening, and like every week… See you next Tuesday!!

This Small Mountain Town Is Home to an Animal Care Revolution. We Take You Inside the BVSPCA

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 incredible animals are overlooked for reasons that often have little to do with who they actually are. Along the way, we learn how the Bow Valley SPCA became a leader in compassionate animal care, what makes their no-cage, no-kill philosophy so unique, and how their team works every day to give animals the best possible chance at finding the right home. More than a conversation about animals, this episode is about compassion, responsibility, second chances, and the role our community plays in supporting both pets and the people who love them. If you’d like to support the Bow Valley SPCA, there are plenty of ways to help beyond financial donations. The organization relies on volunteers, foster homes, community partnerships, Shed Shop donations, and advocates willing to help spread their message. Every contribution, big or small, helps improve the lives of animals in the Bow Valley. Come along as we step inside one of the most innovative animal welfare organizations in the country and explore what it takes to care for some of our community’s most vulnerable residents. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves animals as much as you do. See you next Tuesday.

Exclusive update with record breaking jetboat captain @dustydoeser, what's next?

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 that keep Dent on the water, and the financial challenges that come with chasing world records. Dusty has officially launched a GoFundMe to help fund future projects, and we discuss the many ways people can support his journey beyond simply donating. If you’ve been following his story, this is the most up-to-date look at where things stand and what’s coming next. And while it isn’t Niagara Falls just yet, Dusty does tease details about his next attempt—and it’s another big one. If you enjoy the conversation, make sure to like, subscribe, and share the episode. Hitting that button is one of the best ways to support both Overheard and the guests we feature. @dustydoeser’s go fund me for his 2026 stunt season: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dustys-2026-jump-season?attribution_id=sl:16f90b5b-72c4-47c4-9e4d-43421c8fdcb4 [https://www.gofundme.com/f/dustys-2026-jump-season?attribution_id=sl:16f90b5b-72c4-47c4-9e4d-43421c8fdcb4] A huge thank you to our sponsors: Drinkshaft — The original nitro espresso energy drink, proudly based in Banff and available across Western Canada. Defending Awesome Print Shop — Helping local businesses, creators, and organizations bring their ideas to life through quality printing and apparel. See you next Tuesday!!

Banff’s Creative Underground, Amal Alhomsi & OESA Arts

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 scene. We discuss why mountain towns attract creative people from around the world, the challenges artists face in expensive tourist communities, the importance of solitude, the relationship between nature and creativity, and whether art can survive in an increasingly commercialized world. We also dive into the evolution of OESA Arts, the growing need for sober and community-focused spaces in Banff, the launch of a new artist-focused networking app, and the vision behind a brand-new OESA café and creative hub currently in development. Along the way, Amal shares his Banff hot take, why he believes solitude is becoming endangered, the role ritual plays in modern life, and why art is often misunderstood as a hobby rather than a necessity. If you’ve ever wondered who is shaping Banff’s creative scene behind the scenes, this episode is for you. In this episode: • Amal’s Banff hot take • Why “solitude is almost going extinct” • The connection between nature, creativity and meaning • Why artists create even when there’s no money in it • The hidden challenges facing local artists • The growth of Oesa Arts • The future of Banff’s creative community • The new Oesa café project • The Worker of Art app • Building community beyond nightlife and tourism Special thanks to our friends at Drinkshaft for supporting local conversations and local culture. Additional thanks to Defending Awesome for bringing the Overheard merch lineup to life and continuing to support independent media in the Bow Valley. Support the show and check out our merch at: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] If you’re enjoying the show, please consider subscribing. Nearly 70% of our viewers are still unsubscribed, and that small click helps us tremendously. See you next Tuesday!!