To North Bay With Love

North Bay Stories, New Voices & Big Changes

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we celebrate new beginnings, old friendships, and the stories that connect this community together. Lisa takes a look back at the journey of the podcast over the past three years, reflecting on the conversations, memorable guests, and the incredible people who make North Bay such a unique place to call home. From stories about the Capitol Centre and local arts scene to life in real estate, flooding in the city, potholes, movie nostalgia, and community memories. The biggest news of all is the official introduction of Kate Ricci as the new host joining the next chapter of To North Bay With Love. Kate shares her excitement about stepping into the role, her passion for community, and why storytelling and connection matter so much in North Bay. 0:00 – Intro 4:18 – Memories from the Capitol Centre 12:52 – Spring Real Estate & North Bay Flooding 21:09 – Why “To North Bay With Love” Started 28:43 – Passing the Torch to Kate Hand 37:21 – The Future of To North Bay With Love

You’re Invited! Inside an Italian Wedding on Stage

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we step into a wedding like no other. We’re joined by Kayla Valender of the Gateway Theatre Guild and the mother of the bride Josephine to talk about their upcoming production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, an immersive, interactive experience where the audience is not just watching the show, they are part of it. Set in the 1980s, this lively performance invites guests to attend the ceremony, join the reception, and experience all the laughter, drama, and unexpected moments that come with a big Italian wedding. Get your tickets for May 9th here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/tony-and-tinas-wedding 0:00   Meet Josephine & The Wedding Setup  3:26   Inside Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding 8:44   An Immersive Theatre Experience 13:14 75 Years of Gateway Theatre Guild 20:35 Improv, Cast & What to Expect

A Conversation About Grief, Care, and Community

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we sit down with Brigitte Lebel for a thoughtful conversation about grief, care, and the importance of community. Brigitte’s work focuses on supporting people through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Whether someone is navigating loss, emotional hardship, or major life transitions, her approach is rooted in compassion, listening, and meeting people exactly where they are. We talk about how grief shows up in many different forms, why having safe spaces to talk matters, and how communities like North Bay can play an important role in helping people feel less alone during hard times. Brigette also shares her plans for creating a grief retreat for those in the community. 0:00 – Intro  8:12 – Understanding Grief 16:22 – Supporting People Through Loss 27:05 – The Power of Listening 39:41 – Community & Healing

Finding Joy in Song: North Bay’s Choral Society

In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Wood and Amanda Horn from the North Bay Choral Society to talk about music, community, and the power of singing together. The choir has grown from 25 members to nearly 75 voices strong since covid, and their upcoming spring concert is an all-Canadian celebration featuring beloved classics, Indigenous pieces, local talent, and a few surprises along the way. Find out more of their upcoming performance in April here: https://www.northbaychoral.com/upcoming-performances 0:00 Intro 6:28 – From 25 to 75 Voices  11:00 – Taking the Concert on Tour  18:19 – Concert Dates & How to Join

Paving Her Own Way: Destiny Martin on Horses, Hustle, and Starting Young

At just 22 years old, Destiny Martin is learning what it really means to build a life on her own terms. In this episode, she talks about how her future in social work and why it's important for her, how she started her own business on the side and her love of horses. We chat about what it’s like to start a business from scratch, the challenges of being young and ambitious, and how growing up around entrepreneurs shaped the way she thinks about work and life. 0:00 Intro 5:00 Why She Chose Social Work 12:00 Her Love for Horses 17:00 Building a Business from Scratch 26:00 Growing Up with Entrepreneurs