Épisodes

  • Diana Beresford-Kroeger: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

    Diana Beresford-Kroeger: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science
    Feb 11 2026
    In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with world-renowned botanist, medical biochemist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger.

    Diana shares her extraordinary journey growing up in Ireland and having ancient wisdom passed down to her. She then studied to become a scientist with two PhDs who has spent decades studying the chemistry of trees and their direct connection to human health.

    She explains how the forests do far more than provide beauty and oxygen. Trees release natural compounds into the air that support our immune systems, protect our bodies, and quite literally help us breathe easier.

    0:00 Intro
    4:47 Childhood Visions and Early Connection to Trees
    18:29 The Science: How Tree Aerosols Impact Human Health
    29:46 Cutting Through Wellness Noise with Real Science
    39:21 One Tree a Year: A Global Call to Action
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    43 min
  • Making Science Make Sense: A Conversation with Dr David Pearson

    Making Science Make Sense: A Conversation with Dr David Pearson
    Feb 4 2026
    Science does not just live in textbooks. It lives in stories, curiosity, and the ability to make people care.

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with Dr. David Pearson. Dr. Pearson was the founding Director at Science North and a longtime professor at Laurentian University.

    We dive into science communication and it's importance, the importance of science centers like Science North, and how making science fun and hands on will help inspire the next generation of scientists.

    00:03 Meet Dr. David Pearson
    06:34 Sudbury’s Regreening Success
    12:16 How Science North Got Started
    24:13 Teaching Climate Change Early
    41:10 Creating the Science Communication Master’s Program
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    52 min
  • Women Leading the North: A Conversation with Two Northern Ontario Mayors

    Women Leading the North: A Conversation with Two Northern Ontario Mayors
    Jan 28 2026
    Leadership in Northern Ontario looks different. It means knowing your community, earning trust, and making tough decisions in places where resources are limited and expectations are high.

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with two Northern Ontario mayors, Michelle Boileau of Timmins and Cheryl Fort of Hornepayne, to talk about what it’s really like to lead as a woman in local politics.

    They share their paths into public office, the challenges they’ve faced, and why representation matters in towns and cities across the North.

    5:37 Cheryl Fort’s path to becoming mayor of Hornepayne
    8:00 Michelle Boileau on leadership, representation, and returning north
    17:03 How the Northern Ontario Women’s Association was created
    31:50 Barriers women still face in politics and what needs to change
    49:57 Final reflections on leadership, resilience, and the future
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    52 min
  • From Backyard Experiments to Cult Classic: The Making of Project Grizzly

    From Backyard Experiments to Cult Classic: The Making of Project Grizzly
    Jan 21 2026
    When Project Grizzly was first filmed, no one could have predicted the impact it would have decades later. What started as a story about a man building a bear suit in his backyard has become a cult documentary with a lasting place in Canadian film history.

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, filmmaker Peter Lynch reflects on making Project Grizzly, working alongside Troy Hurtubise, and capturing a story driven by obsession, curiosity, and risk.

    Learn more about the upcoming 30th anniversary screening here: https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/project-grizzly



    3:32 First meeting Troy Hurtubise and filming in his backyard
    7:25 Shaping Troy as a character and embracing obsession
    16:38 Quentin Tarantino discovers Project Grizzly
    29:49 Reflecting on Troy’s legacy and the film’s lasting impact
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    36 min
  • Project Grizzly, Troy Hurtubise and the Obsession That Defined His Life

    Project Grizzly, Troy Hurtubise and the Obsession That Defined His Life
    Jan 14 2026
    Troy Hurtubise was a larger than life character who was obsessed with creating the next big invention. One of the inventions that defined him was the bear suit which was famously featured in the film "Project Grizzly".

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we explore Troy’s story through the eyes of someone who knew him best, his son Brett. We talk about the obsession that drove him, the risks he took, and the line between genius and self-destruction.


    0:00 Introducing Troy Hurtubise and Project Grizzly
    5:23 Building and testing the bear suits
    14:27 Life after Project Grizzly and relentless invention
    26:57 Obsession, burnout, and the cost of never stopping
    44:20 Legacy, reflection, and what Troy left behind
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    51 min
  • Trades, Creativity, and a Chocolate Factory Inside This Northern Ontario Public School

    Trades, Creativity, and a Chocolate Factory Inside This Northern Ontario Public School
    Jan 7 2026
    At White Pines Collegiate & Vocational School in Sault Ste. Marie, school doesn’t look like it used to.

    Alongside classrooms and hallways, students are learning trades, building real skills, and even running a working chocolate factory.

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we step inside White Pines to explore how the school is rethinking education. Principal Jennifer Barbeau and former student Josh Sidwell share why hands on learning, creativity, and multiple pathways matter, especially in Northern Ontario where one size does not fit all.


    1:58 Why White Pines is rethinking traditional education
    7:25 Josh’s journey from student to site supervisor
    14:05 Indigenous culture and inclusion at White Pines
    23:23 Teaching business and entrepreneurship in trades
    38:29 The chocolate factory and school store story
    43:57 Why this school represents the future of education
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    46 min
  • Why Jane Goodall Chose This Northern Ontario City as a Story of Hope

    Why Jane Goodall Chose This Northern Ontario City as a Story of Hope
    Dec 31 2025
    For decades, Sudbury was known around the world for environmental damage. The land was scarred, the air was polluted, and few people believed recovery was possible. One person who saw something different was Jane Goodall.

    In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, we sit down with Dr John Gunn to talk about how Sudbury became an unlikely symbol of environmental hope. He shares how science, community action, and long-term commitment helped restore the land and why Jane Goodall believed this Northern Ontario city had a story worth telling to the world.

    0:00 Intro
    5:30 What Sudbury looked like before recovery
    11:45 The science behind the re greening effort
    18:30 Jane Goodall’s connection to Sudbury
    25:15 Why this story became a symbol of hope
    32:30 Lessons Sudbury offers the rest of the world
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    47 min
  • Santa Answers the Big Northern Ontario Questions

    Santa Answers the Big Northern Ontario Questions
    Dec 24 2025
    Every year, Santa flies over Northern Ontario. He sees the lakes, the rivers, the towns, and the backroads most people never notice.

    This time, we asked him to stop and answer a few questions. In this special christmas eve episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Santa joins us to talk about Northern Ontario history, geography, folklore, and some familiar stories from past episodes of the show.
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    28 min