Shows
Crossing The Pond#54 - Hope - Tania Bentley 🇧🇬🇿🇦We’re joined this week by Tania Bentley, who recounts her experiences in the US since moving from South Africa at the age of 19.She speaks on growing up in a home country during the fall of a apartheid, how it influences her work to bring light to social justice and public policy issues her in the US, through her work in the TV industry and how her own diagnosis, treatment and therapy that inspires her to continue her relentless advocacy for those suffering with Multiple Sclerosis.#crossingthepondpodcast #hope #ta...
2025-03-0357 min
The rainbownation's PodcastSeason 3, Episode 11 - Jennifer RiceHello! This week we have been able to sit down with B.C. North-coast MLA Jennifer Rice. Here is a biography of Jennifer Rice:
Jennifer Rice was elected the MLA for North Coast in 2013, 2017 and re-elected in 2020. She was recently appointed to the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health.
She has worked hard to improve safety for people travelling along the Highway of Tears (highway 16) delivering improved public transportation options such as BC Bus North, the community shuttle bus system and with improved cell service between Prince Rupert and Prince George.
Jennifer has r...
2023-10-201h 06The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 10 , Season 3 - Havana FisherHello besties!
We are back for a fabulous podcast on the eve of another Pride month with the lovely, super busy and all around doll - Havana Fisher.
Havana is originally from Hartley Bay and enjoying her busy time with helping out at Prince Rupert Middle School (with the GSA - Skittles Club), as well as her space in Wap Sigatgyet (House of Building Strength), Indigenous Education Centre. An artist and entrepreneur , Havana is going back to her education journey to become a full fledged certified teacher for her degree and bachelor's of education! We wi...
2023-06-0159 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 9, Season 3 - Dr. Rakel KlingWe are very excited to share a discussion we had with Dr. Rakel Kling from Northern Health, about MonkeyPox.
We asked listeners to submit questions for Dr. Kling and she was kind enough to sit with us over Zoom to answer them.
There is a lot of information out there, true and untrue. Dr. Kling gave us some resources to be better informed and to share: the Northern Health website is a good start with links to other sites for more information.
She detailed what the virus is and how it's transmitted, what people can do when they think have the v...
2022-10-1232 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 3, Episode 8 - Sheila Gordon-PayneSheila Gordon-Payne is running for Prince Rupert City Council this upcoming election, and we wanted to sit down with her and get to know her a little better.
Sheila works in healthcare and is an avid traveller. She's been a long time resident of Prince Rupert and is passionate about seeing the city flourish in collaboration with the residents.
Lots of topics covered here from housing, homelessness, small businesses and the growth of Prince Rupert. Carrying on with the blueprint of "Prince Rupert Vision 2030", the goal orientated and timeline structured of "Redesign Rupert" Sheila is exci...
2022-10-0142 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 3, Episode 7 - Chrystopher ThompsonToday Christine & Russel got a chance to sit down with one of the mayoral candidates for the upcoming municipal election in Prince Rupert, Chrystopher Thompson. Chrystopher has worked in education for 13 years and presently is an Indigenous mentor at Pacific Coast School (PCS). A new face to the political arena, we wanted to get to know Chrystopher a little better, who is he and what he stands for , on the evening before the first All Candidates Forum for the public to do the same.
We asked: what lead him to both his current field and what made him want...
2022-09-2650 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 3, Episode 6 - Danielle DueckHi Gay, Happy Pride month! < >
It's a great day to be queer and an even better day to get to talk to Out & Queer teacher from Charles Hays Secondary School, Danielle Dueck!
Dueck (it's ok, I can call her that), is also helping with the Gay Straight Alliance at CHSS and has been one of the key people in having the Pride float in the latest Seafest parade in Prince Rupert. If you know Prince Rupert, this is a BIG deal.
Christine & Russel talk all things Pride - the good, the bad and the...
2022-06-1858 min
Du pied gaucheLGBTQIA+ : Quelles répercussions, quand on n'entre pas dans la norme ?Pour cette émission dans le cadre de la programmation transnormale, Du Pied Gauche aborde la situation des personnes qui, de par une orientation sexuelle ou une identité de genre qui ne rentre pas dans la norme, sont victimes d'oppressions étatiques, de discriminations et de persécutions.
Et pour illustrer cette situation, on parle:
-de la situation et des exactions dont sont victimes les personnes LGBTQIA+ dans certains pays d'Europe de l'est (Pologne, Hongrie, Bulgarie,etc.) ;
-des questions de droit et de demandes d'asile en Belgique et en Europe pour les personnes LGBTQIA+;
-d...
2021-12-161h 09The rainbownation's PodcastCatch Up To Our Step!Happy National Coming Out Day!
Christine and Russel take a minute to catch up with each other's busy lives over a rainy weekend in the RUP.
Lots of suggestions for entertainment shows to binge on for hibernation season.
Music wise, Adele's upcoming release upon us is giving us life!
It's the first episode we got to be in the same space again face to face for quite some time!
Have a listen to some oversharing and inappropriate insights!
2021-10-1226 min
Poets and Muses: We chat with poets about their inspirationsImogen Arate with Marcia PeschkeThis week, Marcia (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClUaiPaYKtXxXnfxO9VaQ8g) and I, Imogen Arate (https://poetsandmuses.com/imogen-arate/), discuss our respective poems, "Multiple stories in Me" and "Goodbyes," and self narratives.You can also follow Marcia at https://www.instagram.com/marciapeschke/Check out this episode to also hear about virtual poetry events taking place during the week of September 6th.Links to the topics we touched on:1. South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission: https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/2. The Rashomon effect: https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/the-rashomon-effect/Photo of Marcia Peschke by Vasan Sitthiket, Visual artist...
2021-09-041h 13The rainbownation's PodcastPrince Rupert's First Pride Event 2021Happy Pride! Prince Rupert has had its first Pride event thanks to the fabulous couple, Angelo Octaviano & Kyle Hill. Angelo sent out an invite to a small group of friends for a gathering at the Rainbow Bridge in Cow Bay in Prince Rupert, British Columbia to celebrate Pride on Saturday June 19, 2021.
There was a lot of music, dancing and fabulous support from cars that honked as they drove by.
Christine & Russel were lucky to be invited and also be able to ask some of the guests "What does Pride mean to you?". It is fantastic to see the su...
2021-06-2013 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 3, Season 3 - Samuel BrennanSamuel Brennan is a teacher at the Prince Rupert Middle School that teaches French Immersion. He helps out with the "Skittles" group (gender / sex alliance) while Lori Leighton is taking a bit of a much needed break. Sam is originally from Ottawa and moved to Prince Rupert late last year during the pandemic and our 9 feet of rainfall. He has yet to fully be present as we are all still in the pandemic and keeping to our small bubbles for social activity (staying home). We talk activities to keep busy while staying in our bubbles and keeping our sanity durin...
2021-05-151h 13
The rainbownation's PodcastSeason 3, Episode 2 - Braden EtzerzaWelcome to season 3 episode 2 with Mr. Braden Etzerza. Braden is a young queer returning Rupertite / Ts'msyen that has a degree in Environmental Science. He is currently employed with the Metlakatla Stewardship Society as the Climate Action Coordinator. He is extremely passionate about food security & sovereignty as well as finding renewable energy sources among other exciting duties with his nation. When he isn't working, he is out in nature with his dog Copper, connecting with the calm that our beautiful landscape can provide. One of his other items on his wishlist is to share some much needed Queer spaces with the lo...
2021-03-2759 min
The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 1, Season 3 - Diana EdisSeason 3 ! Recorded in late January, we were able to catch up with one another over Zoom, musing on the transition of political leaders to the south of us and what that means for LGBTQ and the world. We interviewed Pastor Diana Edis, from St. Paul's Lutheran Prince Rupert Church about her work in the community and the new book club Queers the Word. Our discussion included her passion for reaching out to the community, accessibility of faith, and how to stay connected during Covid. We are excited to share this podcast in different formats, coming soon! Take a listen, s...
2021-02-1050 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 2, Episode 9 - Alana RiceTeacher, artist, creator and 80's movie aficionado, Alana Rice is a teacher and one of Christine's colleagues. She captures art 🖼 in the Northwest and her pieces can be viewed and purchased at: https://alanariceartist.com You can view the pieces, email her directly if you have any questions, and learn some of the background for each piece. Alana came to us with an interesting premise to talk all things 80's movies. Apologies to Alana if this didn't go as planned, but I think it's a testament to the chaos that has been the year 2020. We may have to have a re-do...
2020-12-3151 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 8, Season 2 - Teri ForsterTeri Forster is a local nurse that is also a representative for all the nurses in the North West in the B.C. Nurses Union, representing workers with disabilities. She is an Ally to the LGBT community, helping organize events across the north west. She is an avid Cos Play participant (Belle from Beauty & the Beast, Shrek, Queen of Hearts and others) and has competed provincially (Vancouver, Prince George) and in the United States (Comic Con [!] ) . We talk fostering animals and of course COVID-19, and her advice on how to navigate through the new normal.
Christine & Russel catch up...
2020-09-1558 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 7, Season 2 - Blake FlannBlake is a former Rupertite that took time out of his extremely busy schedule to talk to Christine & Russel about his new project : opening his new restaurant in Canmore Alberta with his fiancé and business partner. Blake talks about previous accomplishments in his culinary career and it is impressive to say the least! Quending is settling into a "new normal" for virtual Pride events and Christine has a fun give away for Pride !
2020-06-1354 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 2, Episode 6 - COVID Quarantine Check InChristine & Russel check in with each other from their separate spaces via Zoom and talk about what it's been like so far in the quarantine time in the world. Discussion on how the world has slowed down, how people are being creative, creating and nurturing projects and how people are being kind to each other during these mentally and emotionally exhausting ties. Some ideas from Christine on how to cope with quarantine ants in the pants and some Quending!
2020-05-1338 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 2, Episode 5 - Lee BrainThis is definitely one of the longest podcasts we've recorded so far. It would be great if this was a 'part one' to a longer conversation with Prince Rupert's current mayor, Lee Brain. Lee offered up a bit of his weekend to sit down with us to talk about the exciting plans for Prince Rupert. Lee talks extensively about the protocols, procedures and challenges to deal with before STARTING with a plan for the Raindrop, with Redesign Rupert. The amount of information is staggering and it's impressive to have someone speak to it freely, patiently and with excitement, no matt...
2020-03-101h 50
The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 4, Season 2 - Lori LeightonHappy 2020 ! Lori Leighton is one of Christine's closest friends that she has known for a long time (close to 40 years!). Lori works at Prince Rupert Middle School as an Indigenous Counsellor as well, she facilitates the "Skittles" group (a Gay / Straight Alliance group for middle school aged children). She counsels Grade 8 and French Immersion, she teaches Advisory Class as well as Storm 8 (that concentrates on resilience, managing stress and over all Life skills). We talk how to crawl out of the Holi-daze hibernation period from break to the New Year. The influence of living in Prince Rupert as a loca...
2020-01-1251 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason 2, Episode 3 - Mike PucciRecorded on November 11, 2019, Christine and Russel talk all things Remembrance Day, the fallout of fake news and Rainbow Poppies. Quending is Drag Queen Story Time!
The guest for this podcast is Mike Pucci, Manager - Administrative Services for DP World. We get a brief history of the company (Dubai Ports) and talk Port expansion, the wonder and science of Wind Alarms and other future plans for the little port that could. The protocols and procedures would whet any programmer or baker's appetitive (it's all cake!). We talk about inclusivity and diversity in the company. It's a conversation worth listen...
2019-11-231h 08The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 2, Season 2 - Jared PaolinelliIt was a good conversation with Mr. Jared Paolinelli in October, the day of the election. We talked about all things Skeena Kayaking, the fun aspects of the Hospitality / Tourism industry in the small community of Prince Rupert. We talk travelling the world - the fun and challenges as a gay man in some corners of the world. Jared shares some tips on buying mattresses, and sleep clinics and how to take care when choosing a mattress. Quending is oral health care tips from Christine and some reflections on the Madonna era that was Erotica and reflections on the ele...
2019-11-031h 00The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 1, Season 2 - Ivan CoyoteWelcome to season 2! Russel and Christine are back and lamenting on the Summer with their activities (Russel's adventures in baking and Christine's continuing with her Masters degree !! ) . Is there such a thing as Pride burnout ? Netflix and other streaming services are welcomed with the pre-hibernation of Fall.
Russel & Christine get a phone call and are able to talk to Ivan Coyote, before their journey to the Northwest on their "Small town, short stories" tour. They talk about growing up in a small community and their inspiration for starting their storytelling journey. They talk about the differences from presenting wor...
2019-09-1152 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode : Pride Vancouver 2019Russel ventures to Vancouver for Pride in August 2019. Marcia Guno takes over the podcast to interview Russel the day of the parade. Before the parade, after the parade and even gets to interview Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. The wrap up at the end of the day is book ended with Russel & Christine listening to the 'In and Out' podcast from Pride 2019 for the first time. All in a word: phenomenal.
2019-08-0937 minThe rainbownation's PodcastSeason Finale - Russel & ChristineWoohoo! We made it to episode 13 of Rainbow Nation Podcasts! Christine & Russel review the amazing first season of this awesome project. Rainbow Nation will be taking a break over the summer, but will be back in the fall with some great guests and possibly different format .
Enjoy the wrap up and don't forget to stream the other episodes on iTunes, Spotify or Podbean.
love, peace & rainbows
2019-05-3027 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 12 Andrea WilmotIt's the 12th episode of Rainbow Nation and we have Andrea Wilmot joining us to talk about her role in the field of nursing. She is a Diabetes Educator "Clinical Educator for Chronic Disease" and chats with us about Smithers, what keeps her grounded in Prince Rupert and self care .
2019-04-191h 03The rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 11 - Suzo HickeySuzo is an artist living in Prince Rupert. She invited us to her studio to chat and we picked her brain about her pieces, what she would like to see happen with artists and their work and what's changed from her earlier works to now.
2019-03-0343 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 10 - Chanelle TyeWe had the chance to sit down and chat with Chanelle Tye, who is the BC SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Lead (She/Her/Hers). We talk about SOGI’s brand new video series, their website and what Intersectionality is. Chanelle has visited the north and plans to come back this spring. She guides districts all over the province on SOGI and ways to support LGBT2Q+ youth in schools. We had a great conversation and discussed the latest quending! Also, Russel's dog Cooper makes his podcast debut!
2019-02-1342 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 9 - Gabby De LuccaGabby De Lucca, a Speech & Language Pathologist working in School District 52 and fabulous Ally, joins the Rainbow Nation podcast for some conversations around her job and her ambitions to help with the local GSA groups in Prince Rupert and some other tidbits she's experienced since coming to Prince Rupert.
2019-02-0542 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 8 Ronda WilsonOur guest this week is Ronda. She is a parent in Prince Rupert that has been kind enough to come talk to us about raising a son who is transitioning, her local support network and the one she creates for others across the country. Quending is dishing about Ricky Martin, Alexis Stone (yassss!) , a new loonie and Kevin Hart (ugh).
2019-01-1147 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 7 Fawn O'BrietzmanChristine's pal from back in the day (Conrad Cougars Represent!) joins us from across the border to talk about her Biology Bear (that she created in response to current situations in the United States that could easily infect around the world). Have a look at the Biology Bear! She also introduces us to her Lesbian Barbie™ .
2018-12-1040 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 6 - Angelo & KyleAngelo Octaviano and Kyle Hill are two registered massage therapists that have helped set up shop in Prince Rupert. We talk about their ongoing success as part of a much needed business in Prince Rupert, relationships with family and friends and drag queens!
2018-11-2337 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 5 Jean BaptisteJean Baptiste is the Regional Community Network Coordinator for Trans Care B.C. in the North. He is based out of Prince George and our first guest we connected to through Skype. We are so happy we got to connect with Jean and listen to some of the amazing work / community he is helping to build.
2018-11-1745 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 4 - Paul PalingPaul is Christine's colleague in crime. Paul joins us and talks all things math, math shirts, how he feels like a butterfly constantly and the ladder he wants to share with everyone.
2018-11-0940 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 3 - Christine DanrothThis week Christine Danroth opens up a bit about her work with the GSA's she works with. We talk about what is Quending and Christine enjoys a Gilnetter beer from the Wheelhouse for both of us!
2018-10-2539 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 2 - Blair MirauEpisode 2 - Blair Mirau. Blair is a currently a Prince Rupert City Councillor and running for re-election. We were happy to have him sit with us on a typical Prince Rupert October blustery day with some news for something new.
2018-10-1235 minThe rainbownation's PodcastEpisode 1 - Ashley WilsonWe are so happy Ashley sat down with us to answer some questions and give us a glimpse into the transition to her authetic self.
2018-10-0541 min