Nonpartisan Hacks
by Joel Grenz and Sean Wood
Latest episode
All Snapped Out: BC’s Back-to-Back Elections
All Snapped Out: BC’s Back-to-Back Elections
About this podcast
Hosted by two Parksville city councillors, Nonpartisan Hacks brings you behind the scenes of how government really works — without the spin, the shouting, or the partisanship.
We dive into the practical, the absurd, and the oddly inspiring world of local government, while mixing in the occasional provincial and federal twist. Expect real talk about decision-making, budgets, bylaws, and political hot potatoes (with a helping of humour and honesty).
Episodes
The newest 20 of 33 episodes
- All Snapped Out: BC’s Back-to-Back Elections · 40 min · Episode 34What happens when a snap provincial election lands in the middle of BC's local elections? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Parksville councillor Sean Wood and former…
- Chair and Chief Councillor John Jack · 1 h 6 min · Episode 32Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with John Jack, known in his own language as Sayaač̓atḥ, who runs two governments at once: he's Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First…
- On the Rails with Thomas Bevan of Island Corridor Foundation · 37 min · Episode 31What does it actually take to bring 289 kilometres of century-old railway back to life? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood take the show on the road —…
- Scared to Live, Not Scared to Die: Shayla Day on Addiction and Recovery · 35 min · Episode 30Shayla Day was homeless from age 11 to 21, addicted to narcotics by 16, and overdosed 44 times. Today she's helping to lead a regional response to homelessness. In this episode…
- Decoding Your Property Tax Bill · 32 min · Episode 29Your city council raised taxes 5.8% this year. So why did your bill go up 13%? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood pull apart the property tax bill…
- Municipal Courage with Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto · 51 min · Episode 28What happens when the province doesn't move fast enough and people in your city can't wait? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Marianne…
- When Democracy Becomes Dangerous with Marianne Meed Ward · 31 min · Episode 27What happens when serving your community means risking your personal safety? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, recorded live at the AVICC convention in Victoria, Joel Grenz…
- Bring the Bill: Rob Shaw on First Reading, DRIPA, and the Erosion of Debate · 31 min · Episode 26What happens when a government starts blocking bills before anyone gets to read them? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome back BC political…
- So You’re Thinking of Voting in an Election · 33 min · Episode 25Nobody teaches you how to vote well. Maybe they should. You already know how to mark an X on a ballot. But do you know what you're actually voting for? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood…
- The Most Expensive Building Material with George Anderson · 49 min · Episode 24In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville, former Nanaimo city councillor, commercial lawyer, and…
- Pulling Every Lever: Advocacy from the Local Level Up · 27 minWhat does it actually take to get something into a government budget? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood go behind the scenes on Sean’s multi-year…
- From Council Table to Caucus Room: Peter Milobar’s Governance Playbook · 46 min · Episode 2220 Years of Lessons from Local Government to the Legislature In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre…
- Public Engagement Isn’t Broken, It’s Misunderstood · 38 min · Episode 21Two city councillors break down how public hearings, emails, and civic engagement actually work Public hearings, council emails, Facebook rants — everyone has an opinion on how…
- The Art of Mayoring with Nicole Minions · 52 min · Episode 20What does it actually mean to be mayor? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Mayor Nicole Minions of Comox to talk about leadership at…
- How Citizens Can Get Big Things Done with Donna Hais · 26 min · Episode 19How do citizens turn frustration into outcomes, without picking a party or burning bridges? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Donna Hais, longtime community leader…
- Out of the Blue with former Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad · 1 h 23 min · Episode 18Lessons on leadership inside British Columbia politics after 20 years in the Legislature. Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with former Conservative Party of BC leader and…
- No Gavel Required: Running Meetings the Right Way with Tyler Brown · 1 h 9 min · Episode 17How does effective chairing turn a room full of strong opinions into real decisions? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Nanaimo councillor and former Regional District of…
- Shiny Objects v. Heavy Can: Reconciliation After the Cowichan Decision with Adam Olsen · 1 h 7 min · Episode 16What happens when short-term politics collides with long-term obligations? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with former MLA Adam Olsen to break down what the Cowichan Tribes…
- De-stigmatizing Stigma · 24 min · Episode 15What’s the difference between shaming people and shaming harmful behaviour? Parksville councillors Joel Grenz and Sean Wood take on one of the trickiest words in modern…
- UBCM 2025 Review: The Big Conversations Shaping B.C. Politics · 48 min · Episode 14From street disorder and involuntary care to a record-setting provincial deficit and party leadership reviews, this year’s UBCM had no shortage of debate …or drama. Hosts Joel…
