Echo Essentials Podcast
The Echo Essentials Podcast ties together all the elements of the North Bay Echo Community Podcast Network, hosted by Essentials newsletter editor Dave Dale and Echo's principal partner Scott Clark. Guests on the weekly show will reflect the challenges and issues facing North Bay while Scott and Dave discuss the topics and podcasts featured in the newsletter ... as well as upcoming projects. References to the To North Bay With Love, Backroads Bill, Frontline and Cheap Seats episodes will be common. The Echo Essentials Podcast drops online each Thursday at 2 p.m. Billed as North Bay's oddest couple, Scott and Dave are patently different in both manner and outlook despite being born within a mile of each other and a month apart in 1965. Scott was born for theatre and built up a 20-year career in radio in split between Toronto and North Bay before entering the marketing game with Clark Communications celebrating the 20-year milestone in 2024. Dave took the print media route, beginning in 1986 as a Canadore College student and taking a journalism journey through B.C., North Bay, Kapuskasing and Orillia before a seven-year stint with the Anishinabek News and 18 years as a Nugget reporter, photographer and columnist. He is also the publisher of the Back in the Bay Magazine, a quarterly print product with 12 editions since launching in 2021. Explore more North Bay podcasts and stay updated on local events and news at NorthBayEcho.ca. To inquire about being a guest or commenting on content, please email editor@northbayecho.ca Production Credits: Hosts: Dave Dale & Scott Clark Producer: Ben Sargent Content Specialist: Dave Dale Produced by Clark Communications
Episodes
Eric Dion, co-founder of Gofer.Run, joins the show to talk about the launch of the locally developed app designed to help consumers save money by comparing grocery prices and planning smarter shopping trips. Instead of guessing where the best deals are, the app scans flyers and store listings to...
We’re joined by Shawn Flindall from the North Bay Snowmobile Club to talk about Snowmobile Safety Week, the realities of riding in ever-changing winter conditions, and the responsibility that comes with operating high-performance machines on community trail systems.
We also break do...
With 242 new dwelling units approved in 2025, more than double from 2024, we sit down with Councillor Justine Mallah and Beverley Hillier from Planning and Building Services to unpack what drove the surge.
We also take a look at the continuing development of the waterfront area and what the future holds for 2026 and beyond...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, friend of the show and professor of political science Dr. David Tabachnick joins the podcast for a wide ranging conversation on the current state of politics at every level.
We tackle the recent happenings including the threats to Greenland and the repercussions, Canad...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, Jay Aspin and Bill Steer join the podcast to talk about the petition to keep trustees in Ontario's public school system. Both men bring deep experience in public life and education governance, and they speak candidly about what has unfolded and why it matters.
The conversation explores the ...
The conversation covers new data showing sharp increase...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with Shona Camirand and Bobbie-Lyn Shank, members of MADD Nipissing, about the ongoing fight against impaired driving.
They share why education and awareness still matter, how attitudes around drinking and driving have changed, and where dangerous miscon...
Since that moment, Pierre and his family have made it their mission to make sure no one else has to go through what they did. The campaign has become a powerful reminder about the importance of st...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield joins us to talk through what’s on the table. From the work that FONOM is doing for our community, to a look back at the centennial, to long-term budget pressures and growth, Maggie shar...
In this Christmas Day episode of Echo Essentials, political scientist Dr David Tabachnik joins us to reflect on the stories that shaped politics over the past year. From local decisions to national debates and global shifts, we talk about what mattered, what surprised us, and what may have lasting consequences.
0:00 Int...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, we talk to Shawn Kettner one of the many people behind the event to hear how it all started, what it takes to bring it to life.
To find out more check out their facebook page: https:...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, former trustee Louise Sargent shares her perspective on what led to this decision, how it has impacted transparency and trust, and w...
In this episode of Echo Essentials, we sit down with executive director Megan Johnson to talk about the growing funding crisis, what PADDLE does every day, and why people across the North are stepping up to kee...
We also talk about the newest bills that have past in the province and he gives his take on why the Near North District School Board should not be taken over by the ministry.
Isaac shares a bit about his background, what drew him to Echo, and how he hopes to shape the stories we tell going forward.
Chris also shares his future plans and how he will remain connected with Echo
0:00 – ...
In this week's episode of Echo Essentials, host Chris Piekarski sits down with Liza Vandermeer and Carol Hansman to detail the shocking story of PFAS contamination in Trout Lake, North Bay's main drinking water source.
From discussing how the decades-long dumping and use of firefighting foam and how it's contami...
The City of North Bay has been buzzing after Mayor Peter Chirico’s expense controversy, and former host Dave Dale is back to break it all down with Chris.
From questionable meal claims to battalion tickets and golf outings, we dive deep into what the integrity commissioner said in his report, and whether 60 days of docked pay was enough to satisfy th...
From Pierre Poilievre’s missed opportunity to Trump’s impact on Canadian trade and how Mark Carney is toeing the line for centrist policies, Anthony shares what life is like post-politics and offers his unfiltered take on Canada’s political future.
Does Anthony think the Cons...
They share the story of how one emotional moment sparked a movement that's bringing churches from across the City together, by providing unhoused persons with essentials, and challenging the stigma around homelessness in our community. Leah and Lisa also detail their upcoming annual informati...
Bernadette and Chris detail the surprising dollar n...
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