In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the good fortune of a return visit with renown bassist, producer, composer and arranger Peter Cardinali. Through Peter’s extensive career, he’s been part of the evolution of music recording and seen the changes first hand from analog to digital formats from inside the industry. Peter shared more stories about his iconic $45 bass that is still his bass of choice and talked about his many collaborations with legendary artists. He spoke too on the charm of imperfections in music and one-take recordings, capturing the balance between perfection and rawness and the enduring magic that sometimes gets captured when spontaneous creativity is recorded. For more on Peter, you can find him at www.almarecords.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the privilege of talking with Tony Keller, long-time columnist at Canada’s national newspaper The Globe and Mail. Tony writes on economics, politics, public policy and international affairs. I invited Tony on to talk about his recent article on immigration in Canada, which is one of the best depictions of what we've experienced that I've read. Tony talked about the historical context of immigration in Canada, the recent shifts in policy, and the implications of these changes to our country. For more on Tony, I encourage you to read his column in The Globe and Mail and his book Borderline Chaos: Understanding Canada’s Immigration Crisis.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of a return visit with Canadian artist Kirk Sutherland to talk about his world of art. Kirk shared his unique approach to teaching art, emphasizing the importance of observation and the ever-changing nature of color. We talked about the intersection of art and technology, particularly in the context of AI and digital art. Kirk's insights offer a fresh perspective on the relationship between art, science, and the human experience, encouraging us to look beyond the surface and embrace the beauty of the unseen. For more on Kirk, you can find him on Instagram and at www.kirksutherland.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the distinct pleasure of a return visit with Michael Butler, PhD of Astrophysics. Michael is a speaker with Apologetics Canada. We again explored the intricate relationship between science and God with a particular focus on Michael’s area of expertise—quantum gravity. We discussed how both science and religion seek to explain the world. Michael emphasized the importance of critical thinking in the age of information overload. We explored ideas surrounding infinity, consciousness, and spirituality delving into the complexities of human consciousness, the nature of faith and trust, and the pursuit of knowledge through curiosity. Michael emphasized the need of human connection in understanding all of these concepts. For more on Michael, you can find him at www.apologeticscanada.com.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sylvain Lapointe, trumpet player and founder of Buzz Brass, an award-winning brass quintet that blends classical chamber music with innovative performance. This is the third episode where I talk with artists who will be part of this year’s Valley Concert Society’s season at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford. Buzz Brass will perform on Thursday January 22nd 2026 at 7:30pm. In addition to Sylvain, Buzz Brass is Frederic Gagnon (principal trumpet), Sylvain Arseneau (bass trombone), Blaise Margail (trombone) and Angelica Tombs (French horn). Sylvain shared his journey into the world of brass music describing the essence of chamber music and the creative process behind their show. Sylvain described the joy of performing live and the importance of audience engagement. He also spoke about the future of Buzz Brass as they continue to evolve through their music. For more on Buzz Brass and the musicians, you can find them at www.buzzbrass.com. For tickets to their performance in Abbotsford: www.valleyconcertsociety.com.

In this episode, I had the distinct pleasure to welcome Kristal Toews, Pastor of Discipleship at Northview Community Church, to Better Than Not. Kristal leads the team responsible for the in-depth and remarkable Bible studies at Northview that I've often talked about on the podcast. Kristal talked about her journey in becoming a pastor, growing up in a missionary family, and the impact of cultural exposure on her faith. Our conversation delved into the importance of scripture in discipleship and her involvement and leadership in bringing the Bible studies to Northview. Kristal also emphasized the significance of community in navigating through the spiritual journey. For more on Kristal, you can find her at www.northview.org.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I again had the pleasure to talk with LEGO Certified Professional Robin Sather, LEGO’s first certified professional in the world. We began our discussion around LEGO’s evolving landscape with the rise of knockoff brands, the importance of building experiences, and the impact of LEGO on creativity and storytelling. We explored Robin's recent projects, the art of LEGO instructions, and the future of creativity in an age increasingly influenced by AI. Robin talked of the intersection of creativity, technology, and socioeconomic issues and emphasized the enduring human craving for authenticity and play. He also talked about the role of LEGO in fostering community and creativity, and the importance of physical interaction in a tech-driven world. For more on Robin, you can find him at www.brickville.ca.

In this episode of Better Than Not, I had the privilege to talk with Alone: Season 9’s Adam Riley, a professional alpaca shearer and adventurer. Adam shared his journey from introverted, book-reading child in the UK to seasoned traveler and survivalist—though he doesn’t think of himself as one. He talked of his many adventures across sea (soloing the Pacific Ocean) and land including time in both Madagascar and the Galapagos, prior to his Alone experience. We discussed the psychological aspects of participating in the popular reality-TV show Alone. He reflected on the surreal experience of watching the show after being in Labrador alone for 52 days. He also talked of his attempted crossing of the Northwest Passage including the extraordinary, award-winning documentary Passage capturing the experience. Don’t miss this episode! For more on Adam, you can find him on Instagram @life_of_riley or his YouTube channel @adam_riley.