Overheard Podcast

Nahanni McKay on Banff, Art, Tourism, Influencer Culture and the Changing Identity of the Bow Valley

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. Nahanni also shares how growing up in Banff shaped her work, her perspective on art in mountain towns, and how she uses photography and mixed media to challenge the way landscapes like Banff are viewed and consumed. We also get into: Banff local culture Growing up in Banff vs moving here The evolution of the Bow Valley Art and activism Decolonizing conservation Mountain town identity Skijouring and Banff heritage The role of social media in tourism Life as a working artist in Alberta Nahanni’s work has been featured in Canadian Geographic and exhibited across Canada and Europe. She currently has a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta and is part of an upcoming group show with the Alberta Craft Council at the Royal Alberta Museum. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @drinkshaft Big thanks as always to Defending Awesome for the Overheard merch and continued support of the show. Check out our merch and more at: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] Thanks to all our listeners for tuning in, our guest for taking the time to sit down with us and share their insights, and all of you continuing to support local independent media here in the Bow Valley. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!

Fishing The Rockies- Rivers, Regulations and Conservation with Chris Karol

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. Chris shares stories from growing up fishing the Great Lakes in southern Ontario, moving to Banff in 2007, and spending years learning rivers and waters across Alberta, British Columbia, and beyond. We also get into the patience, observation, and respect required to truly understand mountain fishing and why slowing down might be the most important lesson the river can teach you. If you’ve ever wondered where to start fishing in Banff, what regulations you need to know before heading into Banff National Park, or why fly fishing has become such a massive part of mountain culture, this conversation is for you. Topics include: Fishing in Banff National Park Bow Valley fishing culture Fly fishing for beginners Fishing regulations in Alberta and BC River fishing versus lake fishing Conservation and protecting local waters Best beginner fishing advice How to responsibly research fishing locations Social media and fishing culture Fish species in the Bow Valley Building a life in Banff This episode is brought to you by Drinkshaft. The Bow Valley’s number one grab and go cold brew. And if you’ve been seeing the new Overheard merch around town lately, that’s thanks to Defending Awesome, a full service print and design shop right here in the Bow Valley. If it’s your first time joining us don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along. About 70 percent of our listeners are unsubscribed and it genuinely helps us tremendously. Recorded live in Banff. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!

The Other Side of Mountain Life, Unpacking Bow Valley Mental Health and Addictions Week with Cheryl

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 severe anxiety and depression, what recovery and support looked like for her, and why mental health support can never be treated as one size fits all. We also unpack the unique challenges facing communities like Banff and the Bow Valley: seasonal work culture, hospitality industry pressures, stigma in small towns, toxic positivity, recognizing when someone may be struggling, and the role community connection plays in recovery and healing. This episode is about awareness, compassion, prevention, and community support. If you’ve ever struggled yourself, worried about someone close to you, or simply want to better understand what people around you may be carrying, this conversation matters. Disclaimer: This episode discusses mental health, addiction, and lived experiences in an educational and awareness based context. The content is not intended to promote harmful behaviour and is focused on prevention, recovery, and community support. Big thanks to our sponsor @drinkshaft The Bow Valley’s number one grab and go cold brew. Shoutout to Defending Awesome for the Overheard merch and creative support. Check out the merch at: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] If you enjoyed the episode don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. About 70% of our viewers are unsubscribed and supporting the channel helps us keep these conversations going. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!

Kicking off SVAM with Melissa and Jemima in Partnership with the YWCA Banff

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 Banff to strengthen workplace culture using the Signal System. This episode breaks down what that actually looks like on the ground. We get into: * Why Banff’s transient, international workforce creates unique challenges * The “live, work, and play together” dynamic and how it shapes behaviour * Why people sometimes hesitate to speak up in workplace situations * The idea of “calling in” instead of calling out * How small, everyday actions signal what’s acceptable in a workplace * The normalization of certain behaviours in hospitality environments * What real culture change looks like from both staff and management perspectives * How SVAM is showing up in the Bow Valley and how you can get involved This is a real, local conversation rooted in solutions, awareness, and the role we all play in shaping the culture around us. Resources & Support (Bow Valley) If you or someone you know is looking for support, information, or ways to get involved, you can explore the Harmony Project here: ywcabanff.ca/programs-services/harmony-project/ [http://ywcabanff.ca/programs-services/harmony-project/] Presented by Drinkshaft Start early. Do the day right. The Bow Valley’s go-to cold brew. Support the Show Merch → www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] If it’s your first time here, hit subscribe. It goes a long way in helping us keep these conversations going. Follow Overheard Podcast Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Podcasts See you next Tuesday.

Somewhere Between the Mountains and the Music with Andrew Staygold

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 build something real, this episode breaks down what it takes to stay committed in a place where most people move on. With over a decade in music and audio, 139 paid gigs in 2025 alone, and a fully developed solo acoustic sound and personal music project, Andrew shares the reality behind the lifestyle, the discipline it takes to sustain it, and the mindset required to keep going when nothing is guaranteed. We also get into the mountain side of things, 100-day ski seasons, ultramarathons, and how that endurance mentality translates directly into his creative work. This is a conversation about longevity, identity, and building something that lasts in a town that rarely does. In this episode: • Moving to Banff in 2004 and never leaving • What keeps people here long term • The reality behind the Banff lifestyle • Leaving to chase music and coming back • Building a career in music and audio • Playing 139 gigs in one year • Developing a solo acoustic sound and personal project • The challenges of being an independent artist • Mountain life, skiing, trail running and ultramarathons • Mindset, discipline and chasing something long term • What success looks like now Follow Andrew Staygold: Instagram: @AndrewStaygold This episode is brought to you by @drinkshaft The Bow Valley’s go to nonalcoholic cold brew. Whether you’re starting early or keeping things moving, Drinkshaft has you covered. Available across Western Canada and locally at Townhouse Liquor. If you’ve seen the Overheard hats and gear around town, that’s all thanks to Defending Awesome, a full-service print and design shop right here in the Bow Valley. If you want to support the show and rep something local: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] If it’s your first time joining us don’t forget to like and subscribe. We find that about 70 percent of our viewers are not subscribed and it helps us more than you think. Thanks for tuning in, and like every week, See you next Tuesday!!