Canadian Love Map

Today's story comes from Belinda and Carol Bigold, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Lots of families bond over baking, but very few take that fondness to the next level. If you ask Belinda and Carol, they'd say it was a no-brainer. Carol's fearless nature and impeccable baking talents paired splendidly with her daughter's business acumen and tenacity, resulting in the now-iconic High Tea Bakery. By using simple, locally-sourced ingredients in classic recipes handed down through generations and by providing warm, personal customer service, High Tea Bakery has become a premiere business in Winnipeg. The mother/daughter duo has served for countless weddings, birthdays, and celebrations in the Winnipeg area and beyond, serving a wide-reaching clientele (including the late Queen Elizabeth II). This is a story about trusting your own talents, as well as the talents of those around you. To learn more about the High Tea Bakery, visit their website: www.highteabakery.com Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story comes from Amanda and Pierina Procino Di Zazzo, from Montreal, Quebec. The pandemic was a strange and challenging time for everyone, but amidst the darkness there were opportunities for joy. Many rekindled relationships with friends and family, or immersed themselves in the hobbies and pass times working life separated them from years ago. That was certainly the case for Pierina and Amanda, a mother and daughter duo that took to the impressive task of writing and publishing their first novels over the pandemic. Pierina and her daughter always shared a close relationship with each other as well as the art of prose. The experience brought these two women even closer together. Through her mother's writing, Amanda got to see a side of Pierina she had never seen before. And through Amanda's writing, Pierina drew her own inspiration, propelling her authorship to new heights. This is a story about how it's never too late to pursue your dreams and embrace your passions, and about the powerful bond between a mother and her daughter. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story comes from Mary Jane Copps of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Natasha Marchewka of Santa Clarita, California. This story started decades ago, when a then 23-year-old MJ got together with 12-year-old Natasha's divorced father. Almost immediately, MJ grew deeply attached to Natasha and her younger sister, and embraced her new title of step-mother. And although the marriage with her father came to an end, MJ's connection with Natasha endured this breakup and evolved into a new kind of relationship: best friends. Now, Mary Jane and Natasha stay intimately connected over the long distance between them, sharing everything with each other and offering love and support from afar. This is a story that shows how love endures, regardless of the titles we carry or the circumstances we face in life. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story comes from Farideh Olson, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. For a lot of new mothers, an unexpected part of the journey comes when figuring out your "new normal." After all, having a baby radically changes your day-to-day lifestyle, especially for mothers. For the free-spirited, hard-rocking Farideh, motherhood meant having to step away from the lifestyle of a touring musician and into a new kind of spotlight. After years touring the country with her band, Rosie and the Riveters, Farideh found herself settling into a new life at home with her daughter. Following her passion to entertain, Farideh threw herself into comedy, eventually finding a new audience on TikTok and Instagram. Today, Farideh embodies the spirited voice of feminine rage experienced by herself and other moms, commiserating over the good, the bad, and the downright ugly parts of motherhood. Her audience has grown to over 350,000 on TikTok, with viewers commenting that Farideh's content makes them feel seen, validated, and less alone. Listen to hear how this talented woman reinvented herself and found new purpose embracing her identity as a mother. Follow Farideh on TikTok: @ILoveFarideh Follow Farideh on Instagram: @ILoveFarideh Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Kate Leth, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It's not uncommon to start off the new year with a resolution. For a lot of us, that usually takes the form of sacrifice or change, like drinking less coffee or going to the gym. For one Canadian cartoonist and writer, however, that didn't fit right. Kate Leth started the year looking for a "side quest" - something fun and frivolous to get them out of their apartment every once in a while. This is how Kate decided to meet and pet 100 cats before December 31, 2024, penning down each interaction in their "Cat Journal." Kate shares their journal entries on TikTok and Instagram to a delighted audience of thousands, inspiring many to set out on their own side quests this year. This story is all about embracing your passions and making more time for happiness. Follow Kate on Instagram @kateleth Follow Kate on TikTok @katelethargy Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Paul, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Growing up can be tough, especially if you're juggling the responsibilities of childhood with the anxiety of caring for an ailing parent. For Paul, his mother's bipolar disorder was a constant fixation of his young life. It was a weight he carried with him wherever he went... that is until he first stepped foot onto a basketball court. While pursuing athletics, Paul felt a sense of stability and control he hadn't yet known. He was a gifted basketball player, and his passion for the game would eventually secure him an exciting career in sports broadcasting. But all that time, Paul never forgot how hard it was to care for his mother at such a young age. This would eventually inspire Paul to share his experience vulnerably in a new children's book, The Backpack. His mission: to let young people struggling with mental illness in their family know that they are never alone. So, how does a career sports broadcaster shift radically to the medium of children's books? How did Paul come to reconcile his conflicted feelings about his childhood and mother? Listen to hear all about this and so much more in this story of strength, purpose, and vulnerability. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Alicia and Tyson, originally from Newfoundland and Manitoba, respectively. Adventure, freedom, and excitement. Many of us have daydreamed about shedding our familiar patterns and embracing the unknown, but very few of us bring these fantasies to life. That's not the case for Alicia and Tyson. Alicia, a busy entrepreneur and self-described hoarder, couldn't possibly have expected that, when a mutual friend introduced her to Tyson online, her whole life would change. Tyson was her opposite in many ways: a quiet, thoughtful minimalist with a restless appetite for adventure. Together, this unlikely pair would push each other to embrace opportunity, so when the chance to move out of Alicia's Truro, NS home and into a vintage Airstream trailer year-round, they committed 100 percent. So, how do two opposites attract in such a powerful way? How do you downsize from a 2400 square foot house to a 180 square foot trailer? Listen to find out! Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Shellie Ann Tobin and Danielle MacDonald, originally from New Waterford, Cape Breton Island. The East Coast of Canada is steeped in a rich musical tradition that binds families, communities, and generations together. This is the world that Shellie and Danielle were born into. The two sisters grew up singing together and with the people closest to them, but when Danielle married into a military family and moved away, it was the music that kept these siblings connected. Having always yearned to perform music professionally, Shellie and Danielle's dream was put on pause until one fateful day when Shellie received an unexpected call from her younger sister, who said, "I'm moving back home, let's do this." Now, the singing sisters form two halves of their band, Hearts of Kin, and the dream they shared together growing up has become a beautiful reality. Learn more about Hearts of Kin by visiting their website, heartsofkin.com Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Awele Oye-Onwuka from Lagos, Nigeria (and from Antigonish, Nova Scotia). Like many young people in Canada today, Awele is an international student hailing from the lively, busy city of Lagos, Nigeria. Awele loved growing up in Nigeria, having extremely close relationships to family and neighbours alike. That said, even as a young girl Awele planned on travelling abroad for her studies. Her original plan was to study in France, and if not France, then somewhere else in Europe. It was at her parents' urging that she began to research alternate destinations for study, which eventually led Awele to discover a small university in the quiet town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Taking a huge leap of faith, Awele chose St. Francis Xavier University, and a few short years later, has now found herself loving the school and town that she has come to call her own. Now, she shares her excitement and love for St. FX to prospective students, inspiring them with her story of courage, curiosity, and compassion. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This week's story belongs to Anita and Kevin Kirkbride, of Florenceville, New Brunswick. Have you ever wondered what became of your high school sweetheart? For former flames Anita and Kevin, this common curiosity became a window of opportunity two decades after the young couple parted ways. However, a series of coincidental synchronicities kept the two connected. Having broken up at the end of high school, Anita and Kevin would both go on to meet new lovers during their college years, eventually getting married and starting families. Neither could shake the deep connection they shared when they were together as kids, and when both marriages ended in separation, the smouldering embers of their former love began to burn brightly again. Listen to hear a story of courage, rediscovery, and embracing life's coincidences. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story comes from Julia Rivard Dexter of Loon Lake, Nova Scotia. Like many children, Julia struggled with reading. This would become a source of strife and insecurity for the young girl, until she found her fit in competitive canoe kayaking. In the world of sports Julia excelled. Her dedication and commitment would lead her to the top of her game, and eventually, the Olympics in 2000. After the games, it was time for a new challenge, so Julia threw herself into entrepreneurship. At the time, her son Max started to have his own struggles with reading. Not wanting Max to feel the same insecurity she had felt in school, Julia would go to found and launch Squiggle Park, a learning platform that gamifies literacy education. The goal at first was simple: find a better way for her own son to learn how to read. The impact, however, became much larger than that. This fresh, fun approach to learning was embraced by students and teachers alike, and since launching in October 2016, Squiggle Park has grown to be used in over 12,000 schools. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Deb Bakti, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Deb's story belongs like many love stories do: girl meets boy at a bar and the two fall for each other. The "boy" in question was Ty, Deb's late husband. Deb and Ty had built the perfect life together with happy, healthy kids, and a gainful career working as a seniors' home executive. This idyllic life would be shaken to it's core when Ty, out of the blue, started to experience the debilitating symptoms of an extremely rare disease. The next few years of their lives were dedicated to the search for answers. As Deb ferociously pursued a diagnosis for her ailing husband, an inevitable conclusion lingered on the couple's horizon: that Ty's needs would eventually bring him to a long-term care home. Ty would live his final years in a care home, an experience which forever changed the trajectory of Deb's personal and professional lives. Her credentials as an industry executive and her experience as a resident's wife uniquely positioned Deb to become a conduit for the empathy and care she felt the industry needed. Following Ty's passing, Deb would quit her corporate job and start her own consultancy and training business, dedicated to preserving the memory of Ty by helping to foster the kind of human, relational conversations between staff and family that lead to better care for the residents. At the centre of each of these conversations is empathy, curiosity, and of course, love. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's story belongs to Jackie, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. How do you communicate with the world? This weeks guest seeks connection through the stories she shares as a filmmaker, actor and journalist. Jackie Torrens is one of Canada’s brightest talents. Winning awards for performances on stage and screen, she has directed multiple critically acclaimed feature documentaries and broken glass ceilings as a writer. There is a good chance you’ve been moved to laughter or tears by her work on screens small and big, over the last 25 years. She and producer Jessica Brown own & operate Peep Media, a female-owned production company based in Halifax. Their films for CBC, the Documentary Channel, and Bravofactual include Edge of East, My Week on Welfare, Small Town Show Biz and their most recent, Bernie Langille Wants to Know Who Killed Bernie Langille, which premiered at Hot Docs in 2022 & won WIFT-AT’s Best Director, Best Documentary at the FIN Atlantic Film Festival and Best Atlantic Filmmaker from the Lunenburg Documentary Festival. She was nominated for a Gemini for her writing on Trailer Park Boys. For 10 years, she was a regular contributor and guest host for CBC Radio. Torrens’ CBC radio documentaries include The Poet Laureate of Youth Now, which received an Atlantic Journalism Award & also Camp Mini Ha Ha, which received a CBC Award of Excellence. As a playwright, her play Georama premiered at the National Arts Center. As an actor, theatre highlights include playing Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Katurian in Martin MacDonaugh’s Pillowman, and Liz in Daniel MacIvor’s A Beautiful View at Neptune Theatre. Read more about her amazing career here. Her creative love letters to the world are informed by a childhood filled with tragedy and an adolescence that forced her to firmly stand on her own two feet. But as you’ll hear, Jackie has an inner strength that has propelled her through any obstacle society and fate threw at her. Today, her life is full of love, joy and new opportunities to tell us stories, in ways only she can. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This love story belongs to Emily Szuch of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, and Jared Szuch of Calgary, Alberta. February 29th - it's a date so special that it only happens every four years. For many of us, however, it may come and go without much spectacle. But for Emily and Jared, February 29th is the day that the two tied the knot. Four years of marriage later, the couple prepares to celebrate their first official anniversary. In this episode, Nancy has a conversation with the couple about how the two met, their shared passion for adventure and the outdoors, and their decision to choose such a unique date for their wedding. The couple are also joined by their rambunctious two-month-old, Addison. So, how does a couple celebrate four years of marriage in one anniversary? You'll have to listen to find out! Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This love story belongs to Gerald Knowlton of Calgary, Alberta and Spencer Purdy of Vancouver, British Columbia. These two men share a strange bond that binds them together across three generations: a decommissioned railway station. Gerald is part of a rare breed of Canadians who actually lived in the railway stations that used to dot the prairies. His father was the railway agent and was the one responsible for connecting the small rural town of Standard, Alberta, to the rest of the country and beyond. Memories from Gerald's unique formative years came to shape the man he would become, and form the foundation of the values he would go on to share to his own children and, eventually, grandchildren. One of those grandchildren is Spencer Purdy, a visual artist, designer, and architect. When Gerald was approached by the town of Standard to erect a monument to the long-since demolished station, he knew that his grandson was the one for the job. And just like that, grandfather and grandson became partners in this project. The resulting structure is a love letter not only to a way of life that has vanished across the country, but also to a father from a son, and to a grandfather from a grandson. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This story belongs to Tess Monias and Payden Partaker, of Kikino, Alberta. Fathers can play a big role in shaping the people we will become. For Tess and Payden, both of their fathers instilled in them an undying love for two Alberta NHL teams: the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, respectively. Although the two teams and their fans are fierce rivals, the love between these two young people burned even stronger. Before he passed, Payden went to Tess' father to ask for his blessing to marry her. The older man was overjoyed, but knew this wasn't a wedding he'd have the privilege of attending in person, and that his time on earth was short. The two men agreed to a simple pact, but with one small caveat: Payden would wait a year to allow Tess to grieve before popping the question, but would push the timeline forward if her father's spirit sent him a clear sign. A few weeks later, he'd get his sign after winning a raffle for two tickets to an upcoming NHL game: Edmonton vs. Calgary. Now working on a shortened timeline, Payden must scramble to pull together an ambitious proposal that will pay respect to both his and Tess' late fathers. It's a story that united even the fiercest hockey rivals for a brief moment of beauty and love. For more information and pictures of Tessa's incredible beadwork, visit https://www.facebook.com/tessascreeations/ Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This story belongs to Tyler Smith and Kat Kastner, of Calgary, Alberta. You may already know the story of Tyler and Kat - they're the inspirational young couple from Alberta who won the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada. Throughout the 11-episode run, Ty and Kat (a.k.a. "TyKat") dominated in the competition's many challenges, but stood out to Canadians due to their positive attitude, their love of adventure, and their blooming relationship. Both Ty and Kat have overcome loss and heartbreak in their personal lives, which has catalyzed them to become outspoken voices in the mental health advocacy space. This week, and just in time for Valentines day, we are excited to share the story of their next chapter. After the trials that made them closer than ever and that moment of triumph, the amazing story of their engagement. Listen to hear how this beautiful couple met, their decision to compete in the race, and how their picture-perfect proposal narrowly avoided disaster. For more information on Tylers mental health community. Visit notaloneco.com Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This story belongs to Rick Glumac and Haven Lurbiecki, of Port Moody, British Columbia. In the journey of love, an important benchmark for many couples is a proposal. Often, a lot of time, energy, and creativity goes into planning these intricate expressions of love - but some couples can take their proposal to a whole other level. When thinking about how and where to pop the question to Haven, Rick realized that there was one place in particular that the two shared a unique connection to, and which would make the perfectly unexpected backdrop to this proposal. It was then that Rick, unbeknownst to him, decided to become the first person in Canada to propose to their beloved... on the floor of provincial legislature. Listen to hear how this historical proposal very nearly didn't happen, and how a shared passion for public service built the foundation of one of Canada's most unique couples. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This love story belongs to Debbie Adams, originally from Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland. Opportunity is the concept that feeds our thirst to progress in life. Our role models and peers often teach us to take opportunities free of fear and baggage - that the world is our oyster. But what if you grew up in a small, remote community that lacked role models who matched your expectations in life? From her early childhood, Debbie was the square peg, driven by a dream that one day she'd find her fit. Life continuously threw Debbie curveballs and she herself found routes that felt like deadends. But after all that, Debbie built her dream life. Now full of joy, experience and generosity, she has become the role model that little girl from Upper Island Cove needed. Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

If you've owned a dog or cat, you know the kind of love connection that's formed between a pet and their owner. The flipside of this unconditional love is the heartbreak and anxiety that takes place when your furry friends go missing. According to the SPCA, this happens over 1 million times a year in Canada. Behind each plea for help is a family worried for the wellbeing of their pet and an animal that is often scared and alone. The resources available to help recover lost pets are limited, so oftentimes the only tools available to owners are free time and goodwill. But one couple is changing that. For the last 5 years, Mike Chapman and Lisa Johstone have given up countless days and nights, using expert skills to help track and recover lost pets. They do it totally out of pocket and ask for nothing in return. For Mike and Lisa, the real reward of this work comes from returning a beloved pet to the place they belong - with their family. https://www.facebook.com/MCMissingAnimalResponse/ Presented by Charm Diamond Centres Hosted by Nancy Regan Produced by Podstarter Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!