The Flagstaff County Podcast

Send us a text 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, and joys of starting over in rural Alberta. From navigating immigration to building a career in law in a small town, this conversation explores resilience, reinvention, and the power of community.

Send us a text 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 behind what’s believed to be one of Alberta’s largest doll collections! Listen now and step into a world where history is told through porcelain faces and tiny outfits.

Send us a text 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.

Send us a text 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 about life in the WHL and looks back with fondness at his small-town roots.

Send us a text Dr. Leanne Ball of Ball Family Dental in Killam takes time out of her busy schedule to sit down with podcast host Cary Castagna. In a wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Ball touches on everything from her journey to becoming a dentist and how technology is revolutionizing dentistry, to her penchant for the violin and her plans to expand the business.

Send us a text 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 running for a third consecutive term.

Send us a text 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 policing in the region.

Send us a text 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.

Send us a text 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 present a two-day Ag Drone School led by LandView. The school is slated for November 7 and 8 in Strome. To register, visit: https://www.landviewdrones.com/school or call 780-448-7445.

Send us a text 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 summer to his rural roots.

Send us a text 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 to Bob Dylan), Cary and Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch discuss the current Electoral Boundary Review, including the possibility that the municipality could reduce its number of councillors from seven to five.

Send us a text 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 the Parents For Fun in Flagstaff Society, tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna all about the summertime institution in Flagstaff.

Send us a text 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 Castagna what's on tap for the popular summer event. A member of the Battle River Pipes and Drums, which will be performing at GOTCHF, Kari also pulls out the ol' bagpipes and plays a familiar Scottish tune.

Send us a text 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.

Send us a text 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.

Send us a text 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, Sarah tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna all about what course attendees can expect to learn, while also sharing a few practical self-defence tips.

Send us a text 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 taking Nancy Greene ski lessons, discusses last month's Ski Cross Junior World Championships in Sweden, and looks ahead to what she still hopes to accomplish in the adrenaline-pumping sport of ski cross.

Send us a text 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.

Send us a text 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 the Food Bank, the Toilet Paper Tower Challenge, her upcoming retirement, and much more.

Send us a text 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 engagement.