Tonight on Bring Back The Porch, Brian speaks with Dr. Dwayne Zarichny, Superintendent of the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, as he reflects on a 33-year career in education and his final year before retirement. They cover how teaching has changed, where online learning and AI are headed, and why specialized academy programs are reshaping school choice for students and parents.
The conversation also covers new school development in Medicine Hat, including Holy Trinity School, the growth of Catholic enrolment, and how vocational, faith-based, and career-focused learning paths are evolving.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Dr. Zarichny's retirement announcement
00:13 Why Dr. Zarichny chose to become a teacher
00:41 The challenge and reward of making a difference in students' lives
00:57 First day as a teacher on a First Nation island
01:09 Career progression and diverse roles in education
01:22 How education has evolved over 33 years
01:29 The rise of online and on-demand learning
01:41 Technology's role in supporting students with special needs
01:44 Growth of faith-based and specialized academy programs in Medicine Hat
01:59 New school projects and community engagement
02:21 The future of education and Dr. Zarichny's plans after retirement

The Unseen Impact of Teaching
Dr. Zarichny highlights a common struggle for educators: the difficulty in recognizing the difference they make in their students' lives. "You never know when you're making a difference," he shares, emphasizing the profound yet often invisible influence teachers have.

A Journey Through Education
Reflecting on his career, Dr. Zarichny, recalls his beginnings and the path that led him to become a teacher. Growing up in a family of educators, he was inspired by a high school business teacher who imparted valuable lessons that he still applies today. His own teaching journey began in a challenging environment on a First Nation, where he learned to adapt and grow. His varied career has included roles in multiple provinces and different school jurisdictions, showcasing his dedication to education.

The Evolution of Education
Dr. Zarichny, notes significant changes in education, particularly in the rise of on-demand learning. He believes that as parents become more mobile, the need for accessible education will grow, leading to more online platforms for students. However, he raises a critical concern about the potential loss of social development in online learning environments.

Embracing Technology
Brian shifts the conversation to technology's role in education, especially concerning special needs students. Dr. Zarichny, points out that technology now allows teachers to create tailored learning experiences, enhancing support for diverse learning needs.

The Future of Education
Lastly, Dr. Zarichny, reflects on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. He predicts that AI will not just be an adjustment but a disruption, much like the industrial revolution. As Dr. Zarichny winds down his final year of teaching he explains to Brian that he will be busy in retirement. He plans to travel, continue teaching university courses, and do governance work with school boards and nonprofit boards.

Medicine Hat Fire Department reminds you to charge your devices with the cord that came them. Third party cords can damage your rechargeable batteries and lead to fire.

Hey we need your support. Like and subscribe to Bring Back The Porch Podcast

Support the show

Bring Back The Porch visits Art Room on Second, Medicine Hat’s new collaborative commercial gallery, with co-owner Erin Stelmaschuk Biegel. Erin explains how a group of artists turned years of pop-up shows into a permanent space, how original copper tooling and nature inspire her work, and why meeting artists and seeing art in person can make collecting meaningful.

Chapters

00:00 Why Medicine Hat needed a commercial gallery
01:22 From artist pop-ups to a permanent gallery
03:24 A collaborative space with artists on the floor
05:04 Nature, copper, and the origins of Erin’s practice
07:19 How copper tooling turns drawings into originals
09:43 Why visual art matters in everyday life
12:07 Expanding beyond paintings to pottery and sculpture
13:42 Gallery hours, changing displays, and traveling collectors
16:43 Small works, local artists, and building a collection
20:51 Caring for copper and a Calgary Stampede hat
22:35 Six potters and whimsical salvaged-metal sculpture
25:34 Why visitors should continue to drop in

Art Room on Second grew from several years of artist pop-ups, culminating in a month-long show before becoming a full-time gallery in February. Co-owners Erin Stelmaschuk Biegel and Ursula Maser lead a collaborative gallery that includes more than 20 artists across painting, pottery, jewelry, beadwork, and sculpture.

Artists share gallery shifts, giving visitors the chance to meet makers, ask about their processes, and discover different work on repeat visits. Erin traces her nature-inspired practice and copper tooling technique to childhood drawing and a generous high school art teacher; each copper piece is made by hand without templates. She describes how patina, acrylic, alcohol ink, oil pastels, and resin contribute to her copper works, which need only dusting for care.

The gallery’s changing feature wall, artist demonstrations, opening receptions, and varied mediums keep the space fresh for locals and visitors. The tour highlights artists and mediums including Ursula Maser’s florals, Jackie Deblasio's abstracts, Kameko Ballantyne's graphite drawings, six potters, and Jordan Bouchard’s salvaged-metal sculpture.

The gallery’s broader mission is to show why visual art matters in people’s lives, including the emotional and scientific impact of colour, mood, memory, and place. Erin says people often connect with art and that small original works can be an approachable start to collecting.

The tour also spotlights the gallery’s mix of work - smaller pieces for collectors, unframed originals for travellers, pottery, abstract work, graphite drawings, whimsical garden stacks, and salvaged metal sculpture. There is something for everyone, Erin recommends visitors linger, bring friends, and return often.

Medicine Hat Fire Department reminds you to charge your devices with the cord that came them. Third party cords can damage your rechargeable batteries and lead to fire.

Hey we need your support. Like and subscribe to Bring Back The Porch Podcast

Support the show

Bring Back The Porch's latest conversation is with Eddie LeMoine, he shares his journey from working in many fields including sporting goods, aeronautics, and tech to becoming a sought-after professional speaker and author. He reflects on significant life choices and the lessons learned along the way, particularly around the importance of focusing attention on our goals. Eddie will be the keynote speaker at the Workforce Solutions Summit taking place next week here in Medicine Hat.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview
01:00 Guest background and career journey
02:13 Transition from fishing and music to retail and tech
03:20 Becoming a professional speaker and author
04:01 The moment of realization and career change
04:56 Family reactions and early challenges
06:01 The importance of attention and focus
07:01 Labour workforce challenges and demographic shifts
09:00 The impact of AI and automation on jobs
11:03 Strategies for capacity building and remote work
13:11 Knowledge transfer and AI tools for succession planning
14:48 Broadening talent pools and global recruitment
17:02 The future of work and opportunities for all
20:03 Retirement, encore careers, and lifelong work
23:01 The role of happiness and passion in productivity
24:49 Resources and tools available on Eddie LeMoine's website
27:07 Final thoughts


From Fish Scales to Tech and Beyond
Eddie's career began in the fishing industry, a family tradition, before he ventured into retail and managed large tech companies. However, a personal revelation led him to transition into professional speaking.

“You have everything that everybody wants… but I got really good at doing things I hated doing every day.”
Eddie LeMoine

This realization pushed Eddie to embrace his passion for speaking, despite the challenges of leaving a stable corporate position. He highlights how crucial it is to align one’s work with personal fulfillment and purpose.

Attention Shapes Outcomes
A pivotal moment in Eddie's career came during a conversation in a pub that changed his perspective on focus and intention. He learned from a mentor that focusing on the negative aspects of his goals was counterproductive. This insight has become a guiding principle for him, emphasizing the power of positive focus in achieving success.

Labour Market Challenges Ahead
Eddie discusses the pressing challenges facing today’s workforce, particularly the impending shortage of workers as a significant portion of the population retires. With fewer people entering the workforce and increased demands for growth, Eddie stresses the importance of strategic thinking in workforce planning. He advocates for building capacity within current teams rather than solely relying on hiring to bridge the gap.

A Shift in Work Culture
As Eddie points out, the work ethic of previous generations may not resonate with younger workers. The priority is shifting towards work-life balance, and organizations need to adapt to these changes to attract and retain talent. By fostering a culture that values well-being and flexibility, companies can better harness the strengths of their existing teams.

The Workforce Solutions Summit: Strengthening Recruitment, Retention, and Workplace Culture takes place October 27th from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Medicine Hat College.

If you want to learn more about Eddie LeMoine visit his website
https://eddielemoine.com/

Please support our work by subscribing to our YouTube Channel

Medicine Hat Fire Department reminds you to charge your devices with the cord that came them. Third party cords can damage your rechargeable batteries and lead to fire.

Hey we need your support. Like and subscribe to Bring Back The Porch Podcast

Support the show