What the Haliburton?

2026 Election - Meet Minden Hills Mayoral Candidate Tammy McKelvey

Municipal election season is underway and we're kicking itoff at What the Haliburton with our first candidate interview of 2026. Tammy McKelvey is running for Mayor of Minden Hills after her first term on council. Lisa and Bram talk with Tammy about her candidacy and why she thinks she's the right person to lead Minden for the next four years.

Hope and healing through Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre

In this episode, we sit down with Barb Smith-Morrison, executive director of the Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre in the Algonquin Highlands. A cancer diagnosis brings overwhelming fear, grueling treatments, and deep emotional turmoil, not just for patients, but for their families too. While the medical system can often feel like an impersonal assembly line, Brooksong offers a tranquil haven dedicated to rest, renewal, and holistic healing. Drawing from her nearly three decades as a Mennonite pastor and her own family’s experiences with cancer, Barb shares how Brooksong infuses hospitality into every retreat. Through nature immersion, yoga, massage, delicious food, and supportive discussions, visitors find a community. Find out how Brooksong provides a comforting space to lift individuals navigating their darkest days, fostering hope and emotional well-being along the way.

Why do turtles cross the road?

Why do turtles cross the road? It’s not a joke, it’s an ancient, dangerous journey. In this episode, we sit down with Leora Berman, the "turtle lady" and founder of Turtle Guardians, who has spent 20 years championing these living dinosaurs. Turtles face massive threats from climate change and development, and because they take decades to mature, every breeding adult is vital to the ecosystem. Through Turtle Guardians, Berman has transformed Haliburton County and beyond, turning everyday drivers into life-saving volunteers equipped with shovels and gloves. Operating one of Ontario's largest incubators, with 180 volunteers, the organization blends education, egg rescue, and innovative research, like installing "turtle tunnels" under roadways. Tune in to discover how Berman’s grassroots conservation effort uses community programming to ensure these slow-moving creatures survive and thrive.

Walt McKechnie Remembers Murray Fearrey

The Mayor of Dysart, Murray Fearrey, passed away last week at 84. Bram and Mike talk with Murray's dear friend and Deputy Mayor, Walt McKechnie, about a remarkable 55-year career in local politics.

Ottawa Update with MP Jamie Schmale

Jamie Schmale has been our MP for 11 years, all of that time in opposition, giving him plenty of time to consider what his party (the Conservative Party of Canada) would do better. In this episode, our MP drops by the podcast for a wide-ranging chat. We discuss recent floor-crossings, how MPs vote and what that means for our democracy. And we get MP Schmale's take on why rural Canada always seems to get the short end of the stick. Join us for an up-close report from our representative in Ottawa.