HALDIMAND—Who doesn’t love a good podcast? Whether you’re into sports, movies, health, politics, or pretty much any topic imaginable, there’s likely a podcast out there covering it.
We wanted to see what the local podcasting scene is like, so we reached out via social media and Haldimand did not disappoint. Please enjoy the following look at some great shows made right here in Haldimand.
The Pickle Jar
Hagersville resident Jill Battle is serious about helping those who, like her, live with Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause a host of symptoms.
Diagnosed in 2011 at age 35, Battle has worked in the fitness and wellness industry for over 18 years and is the owner of Chronically Fit Canada, a virtual fitness program inspired by her health journey. She also hosts The Pickle Jar, a podcast chronicling her struggles and triumphs in living with Addison’s.
“Many individuals living with Addison’s disease never get to speak to someone going through the same illness,” explained Battle on starting the podcast. “I used podcasts to educate and empower myself through a difficult life situation a few years ago. I then recognized the power podcasts can have in changing someone’s life.”
Battle shared about Addison’s disease: “The body no longer produces the life-sustaining hormone cortisol or cannot maintain proper electrolyte balance through sodium and potassium regulation. Every day I am at risk of a life-threatening adrenal crisis.”
Sadly, Battle’s father passed away at the age of 56 following an adrenal crisis due to Addison’s, so she knows first-hand how serious the risks can be.
“I want to make a difference to honour his memory. He will always be my hero. My hope is simply to share and connect together others living with Addison’s disease to encourage them to continue fighting,” said Battle.
On her podcast’s unique name, Battle explained how Addison’s patients use daily medication and a high-sodium diet to counteract their reduced sodium levels: “We tend to highly salt our foods and to eat/crave a lot of pickles. Thus, the name The Pickle Jar podcast. To me, each pickle in the ‘the pickle jar’ also represents each member of my Addison family who is sharing and fighting this journey with me.”
The most popular of Battle’s 145+ episodes revolve around guests sharing their stories: “Each guest episode validates the journeys of others…. It provides hope and inspiration for all of us living with this disease.”
The effort has paid off. With more than 23,000 episode downloads in over 60 countries, it’s clear that Battle’s message has resonated amongst the Addison’s community.
“The rewards have been endless. The response has been incredible. It has helped me grow as an individual, and I truly feel I found my purpose in life,” she concluded. “I jumped in not knowing anything of what I was doing. It was scary and exciting, but it has also been one of the best adventures of my life!”
The Pickle Jar is available on Apple, Google, and Spotify, or on the Chronically Fit Canada YouTube page.
The Reaction Brats
For podcasting duo and spouses David and Robyn Dunham, sharing a passion for vinyl, concerts, and music has been the driving force behind both their love story and their show, The Reaction Brats.
“I’m from Dunnville, born and raised,” said David. “Robyn is Hamiltonian. Somehow, we make it work.”
Things kicked off back in 2019 when David asked Robyn to go to a show with him. While the chosen band didn’t impress Robyn all that much, she saw the potential in having David as a concert buddy, and it wasn’t long before their podcast was born.
“We hop on the mics and swap music from our personal collections for the other to listen to and have a chat about it. It’s evolved from there – we (also) dig up oldies but goodies and discover new records together,” explained David. “We’ve been together for four years, married for one, podcasting for three.”
Listening to an episode, it’s easy to see why the pair has stuck together. Their banter is effortless, and their shared affection for both music and each other is infectious. They know their music too, covering a wide and eclectic range of artists as they swap records and share concert stories from their many adventures together.
David said that while the pair loves making the show, life can get in the way: “We’re raising a family and working, so it’s hard to find time for podcasting. Recording is the fun (and easy) part.”
“The biggest reward is really just spending that time creating something together. We love music and we both have the gift of the gab, so Reaction Brats is a really fun project,” he concluded. “Another awesome reward is hearing people say how much they love listening to it. That’s the coolest.”
Check out The Reaction Brats on Instagram @reactionbratspod and find their podcast on Spotify and Apple.
Keeping It Real with Nyree and Fiona
Dunnville resident and audio technician Christopher Alford enjoys a good podcast, but his true passion is recording them out of his home-based studio Isle of Sound.
“My interest and passion for radio and listening to people,” said Alford on what led to him producing a fitness-based podcast, Keeping it Real with Nyree and Fiona. “I followed through by investing in a few part-time courses. The more involved I got … the larger the equipment became.”
The podcast was the brainchild of Nyree Segui, who started Keeping it Real in November 2020 on a smartphone app: “Those first few episodes were definitely rough, but it got the ball rolling and in January of 2021 we moved to a professional studio.”
Alford recalled, “I had approached her with the idea of getting a much cleaner and professional sound.… I enjoy being behind the scenes and perfecting others’ work.”
The focus of the show is fitness, nutrition, and “mindset tips that people can actually use,” said Segui. “Often, episodes are inspired by discussions at the gym. Other times it can be a reflection of what’s been happening in the gym…. News stories and health studies are also a source of inspiration. We aim to take a realistic look at these reports and what it means to our audience.”
Segui said the abundance of misinformation about fitness and nutrition is fuel that keeps her show’s engine running.
“Fitness influencers are often featured on social media feeds showcasing an unrealistic view of what it means to be fit. It can be very discouraging for all women. We wanted to focus on what works from the perspective of women in their 40s and 50s and what it means to be fit at that age. Our goal is to highlight all the amazing things an older person can accomplish in the gym.”
Now in its third year, Segui said it can be challenging to keep things relevant and fresh: “Some topics can overlap over time, so we’re always trying to bring something new and interesting to our listenership. Staying on track … and not veering off-topic can be tough.”
Despite those challenges, Segui feels rewarded with hearing how people relate to and enjoy her work.
She shared a tip for any fledgling podcasters: “Understand what your audience is interested in and get to know your demographic. You can do a podcast on anything! When you hone in on who you are speaking to you can create a nice following.”
Look for Keeping it Real with Nyree and Fiona on social media, and listen to it on Buzzsprout, Apple, and Spotify.
NFT Hype and CryptoSlam Clubhouse
Caledonia audio and video producer Jenny Calpu has learned a lot over the past six years of co-running Aloomi Inc. She produces a diverse range of shows remotely, including the podcasts NFT Hype and CryptoSlam Clubhouse. She notes, “My digital expertise guarantees that location is never an obstacle.”
NFT Hype dives into the world of bitcoin, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and digital art and collectibles, while CryptoSlam Clubhouse is a video-centric show complemented by a podcast.
“Podcasting is both an art and a science, and I’ve got it down to a tee,” said Calpu. “From collaborating with engaging hosts, utilizing top-notch equipment, curating the right music, to expert audio editing and distribution, I’ve got all bases covered.”
Calpu said that a key element in taking a show to the next level is collaborating with a professional like herself, investing in a quality microphone, and being sure you have a wealth of knowledge to draw on for your chosen topic.
“The foundation of an outstanding podcast is impeccable audio and hosts who radiate passion,” she said. “Outsource for quality, enjoy the process, and be patient. Building an audience takes dedication.”
Calpu has a new, Haldimand-inspired podcast in the works, but is not quite ready to pull the curtain back yet. Once she does, she said, “I truly hope you’ll tune in and join the experience.”
Both NFT Hype and CryptoSlam Clubhouse are available on Spotify and Apple.
