The Flagstaff County Podcast
Known as the "Community of communities," Flagstaff County consists of 10 rural communities in east central Alberta. Together, these communities create a region that boasts an affordable cost of living, plenty of year-round recreational opportunities, friendly steering-wheel-hand-waving folk and a quiet rural lifestyle.
Episodes
83 episodes
A World Away
Iranian-born Ala Hakim Oberg shares her inspiring journey from bustling Tehran to the quiet fields of Flagstaff County. Now a practicing lawyer in Forestburg, Ala sits down with host Cary Castagna to talk about the challenges, surprises, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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25:49
Dollhouse Dreams
Podcast host Cary Castagna visits the Alliance Doll Museum, where hundreds of curious eyes (doll eyes, that is 👁️👁️) look on as he chats with board members Karin McCracken and Dale Lambden.Tune in as they uncover the fascinating story b...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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25:33
Timeless Identity
Twenty-eight years ago, Flagstaff County held a contest to design a new corporate logo. Barb Cookson, who won the contest, tells host Cary Castagna what it's like to contribute such a lasting piece of the County's identity.
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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14:03
WHLer Grateful for Local Roots
Brady Ness, who grew up northeast of Sedgewick, is a 6-foot-4, 217-pound defenceman with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old talks to podcast host Cary Castagna about life in the WHL and looks back with fondness...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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22:10
Fiddler on the Roof (of your mouth)
Dr. Leanne Ball of Ball Family Dental in Killam takes time out of her busy schedule to sit down with podcast host Cary Castagna (with his "beautiful and contagious smile"). In a wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Ball touches on everything from her j...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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37:20
'Sorry, Don'
The first episode of 2025 starts with an apology. Talk between host Cary Castagna and County Reeve Don Kroetch soon turns to the upcoming election and public engagement. Along the way, Reeve Kroetch spills the beans on whether or not he'll be r...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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31:34
New sarge in town!
There's a new sergeant in town and communication is one of his top priorities! Sgt. Andy Wetzstein, new commanding officer of the Killam RCMP detachment, sits down with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna to talk all about...
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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1:09:06
Chatting with AI
In a first for the Flagstaff County Podcast, Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna interviews ChatGPT about the County and AI technology. This episode was recorded and released on Halloween because many will find it rather spooky.
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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28:08
Drones on the farm
Markus Weber, owner of LandView Drones, discusses the many agricultural uses for this burgeoning technology with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna.Flagstaff County has partnered with the Strome Ag Society to pres...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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13:23
Local boy returns
Meet Jonathan Dahl, Flagstaff County's new Director of Municipal Services. Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna chats with the Sedgewick native, who chased the bright lights of the big city for the past few years before returning this summe...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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20:12
Pushing the boundaries!
Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna will do anything to get more residents to fill out the online survey on electoral boundaries. He'll even sing. Yes, sing.After his questionable vocal performance (with apologies ...
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Season 4
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Episode 16
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25:41
An evening of family fun!
It's almost time for the 15th annual Movie in the Park! This year's end-of-summer celebration is August 20 in Killam Heritage Park.Jessica Docksteader, program facilitator of the Family Resource Centre in Killam, which is operated by th...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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27:05
Full-blown festival!
Bagpiper Kari Fox-Newby is one of the many volunteers helping to organize the 6th Annual Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival (GOTCHF) coming up Aug. 24, 2024, in Sedgewick. She tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagn...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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39:58
Sky-high goals
Canada's top-ranked competition pilot, Neil Harris, is coming to Flagstaff County to compete in the Flagstaff Flyers Regional Aerobatic Contest. Find out what he thinks of Flagstaff Regional Airport and the Iron Creek Flying Club, and much more...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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34:58
Weight loss success story!
Nicole Nychyporuk, the grand prize winner in last year's Flagstaff Fitness Challenge, has gone on to lose a whopping 105 pounds (and counting)! She tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna how she transformed herself.
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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35:11
Defend yourself!
Sarah Williams, head instructor of Empowered Defence Centre, is bringing a mother-daughter self-defence course to Strome this summer. In a wide-ranging interview that touches on everything from her professional background to training philosophy...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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26:51
'Adrenaline rush!'
Ski cross racer Maren Vincett, who grew up in the Galahad area, and Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna meet at the base of the Valley Ski Hill near Alliance for a wide-ranging interview. Maren recalls her early days takin...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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27:21
Stroke of genius
Killam-area artist Kristin Kueber lifts the veil on her creative process, her influences, what inspires her, and much more. Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna hosts this behind-the-art chat.
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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27:01
Bank on it!
When it comes to food bank donations, Flagstaff residents are extremely generous, says Flagstaff Family and Community Services Executive Director Lynne Jenkinson. Lynne chats with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna about ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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29:38
Rules of Engagement
Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch and Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna chat about the importance of engaging with the public, roll out this year's public participation plan, and then look back at the findings of last year's public enga...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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20:57
Tradition, history and dancing!
With the Red Serge Ball happening next month, Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna sits down with Noreen Metz, program manager of Flagstaff Victim Services, and Jessica Docksteader, program facilitator of the Family R...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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27:21
Hub for Early Childhood
Jessica Docksteader, program facilitator with the Family Resource Centre in Killam, joins Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna to discuss the facility that is operated by the Parents For Fun in Flagstaff Society and that is...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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23:23
Toast and Roast
Fire Chief Derek Homme, of the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society (otherwise known as FRESS), and Capt. Chad Kuefler, of the FRESS Forestburg station, join Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna to talk about a big...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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22:46