FROZEN TIX: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/midlandculturalcentre/2232657

Ben's Pain For A Good Cause:

https://support.campfirecircle.org/diy/bens-pain-for-a-good-cause

This week on The Open House Podcast, we're joined by the incredible Lori-Ann "Clants" Clancy, founder of the Georgian Bay Musical Theatre Company and a beloved educator who spent decades inspiring students across our community. From growing up in Oshawa and finding her way to Midland through a chance encounter at a teacher recruitment fair, to building one of the region's most successful community theatre organizations, Lori-Ann's story is full of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

We talk about her teaching career, coaching basketball, the power of making young people feel seen and heard, and how a simple conversation inside the Midland Cultural Centre eventually led to the creation of GBMTC. Lori-Ann also shares behind-the-scenes stories from launching the company, surviving the challenges of community theatre, and bringing productions like Frozen to life.

Along the way, we dive into favourite musicals, the magic of live performance, small-town community building, and why the relationships you create often matter more than the show itself.

Whether you're a theatre lover, educator, parent, volunteer, or someone looking for a reminder of what happens when passionate people invest in their community, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Link the Ben's Fundraiser:
https://support.campfirecircle.org/diy/bens-pain-for-a-good-cause

This week on The Open House Podcast, we sit down with Hope Adams, founder of We Are Resilient, registered social service worker, performer, and passionate mental health advocate.

Hope shares her deeply personal journey through anxiety, depression, grief, hospitalization, and the challenges of navigating mental health as a teenager. From losing a close friend to suicide, to finding purpose through theatre, counselling, and community, Hope opens up about the experiences that shaped her path and inspired her mission to make mental health support more accessible.

We also discuss coping mechanisms, social anxiety, self compassion, therapy, resilience, substance use, the realities of growing up in today's social media world, and why community is often one of the most powerful tools for healing.

This is an honest, vulnerable conversation about what it means to struggle, recover, and keep moving forward.

If you've ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or wondered whether things can get better, this episode is for you.

The Open House Podcast is hosted by Ben Robitaille and Richard Thompson and features conversations with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and fascinating people from across Simcoe County and beyond.

What does it take to spend three and a half years building a video game from scratch?

This week, Ben and Richard sit down with local game developer Joe, creator of The Edge of Allegoria, to talk about growing up in Barrie, discovering a passion for game development, and turning a side hobby into a full time career.

Joe shares the incredible story of teaching himself game design, building a community online, landing a publishing deal in Germany, launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, and navigating the highs and lows of releasing an independent game. The conversation also explores creativity, entrepreneurship, parenting, chasing ambitious goals, and why having the right partner in your corner can make all the difference.

Whether you're a gamer, entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone with a dream you're trying to bring to life, Joe's story is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight and that persistence often matters more than talent.

Plus, Ben explains why he currently has a scab on his head, Richard reminisces about childhood gaming, and the guys discuss the surprising connection between raising kids and pursuing big goals.

Listen now and meet the Midland developer behind a game that's reaching players around the world.

Ben's Donation Page

https://support.campfirecircle.org/diy/bens-pain-for-a-good-cause

Joe's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/its_avg_joe/