The Backroads Bill Podcast
by North Bay Echo
Latest episode
100 Years of Giesler Boats: Wooden Boats Built by Hand in Northern…
100 Years of Giesler Boats: Wooden Boats Built by Hand in Northern…
About this podcast
It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill!
Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer Ben, Bill (who is the founder and the GM of the Canadian Ecology Centre) goes more in depth to the stories he has been sharing for years on CBC Radio and Village Media.
Whether it’s a “day-trip” “overnight-trip” or “Sunday drive” you will discover your next great adventure!
Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT
For the video version of this episode or to explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.
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Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho
Production Credits:
Host: Backroads Bill
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications
Episodes
The newest 20 of 164 episodes
- 100 Years of Giesler Boats: Wooden Boats Built by Hand in Northern Ontario · 36 min · Episode 163In this episode of The Backroads Bill Podcast, Gerry and Matt Giesler of Giesler Boats join Bill and Ben ahead of the company’s 100th anniversary in 2027. As third and fourth…
- Following the Voyageurs to New Post Falls · 35 min · Episode 162In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Andre Bernier of Northern Spirit Adventures joins Bill and Ben to share how he brings the history of the voyageurs to life on the…
- Wabakimi After the Wildfires: What Comes Next? · 38 min · Episode 161In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Margaret Wanlin of Wabakimi Outfitters joins the show to talk about the devastating wildfires that swept through northwestern…
- What Crying Can Teach Us About Being Human · 48 min · Episode 160In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, author and minister Benjamin Perry joins the show to explore the ideas behind his book Cry Baby: Why Our Tears Matter and what…
- The Search for Sasquatch Comes to North Bay · 26 min · Episode 159In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Andrew MacKellar joins the show to talk about the upcoming North Bay Sasquatch Conference on October 10th and his own experiences…
- How Thompson, Manitoba Became the Wolf Capital of the World · 43 min · Episode 158In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, Volker Beckmann shares the story of how Thompson, Manitoba built its identity as the Wolf Capital of the World. What began as a…
- Fake Art, Real Money: Inside the Norval Morrisseau Scandal · 45 min · Episode 157In this episode of the Back Roads Bill Podcast, lawyer Jonathan Sommer joins the conversation to break down the massive art fraud surrounding renowned Indigenous artist Norval…
- In Search of Wendell Beckwith: Northern Ontario’s Wilderness Genius · 39 min · Episode 156In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, filmmaker Jim Hyder joins the conversation to share the remarkable story of Wendell Beckwith, the reclusive thinker, builder, and…
- The Cold War Bunkers Hidden Across Northern Ontario · 32 min · Episode 155In this episode of The Backroads Bill Podcast, amateur historian and author Paul Ozorak joins the conversation to explore the Cold War bunkers, fallout reporting posts, radar…
- What Stories Are Hidden Inside The Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence? · 47 min · Episode 154In this episode of The Backroads Bill Podcast, Bethany and Maya from the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence join the conversation to explore the stories, artifacts, and…
- Surviving the Downburst: How Trauma Changes the Way You See the Outdoors · 43 min · Episode 153In this episode of The Backroads Bill Podcast, psychotherapist Brigitte Lebel shares her harrowing experience surviving the June 2025 downburst at Samuel de Champlain Provincial…
- CanEMERG: Mental Health Support in Times of Crisis · 35 min · Episode 152In this episode of The Backroads Bill Podcast, clinical psychologist Margaret McKinnon joins the conversation to discuss trauma, PTSD, psychological preparedness, and the mental…
- What Does the Future of Ontario's Forests Look Like? · 47 min · Episode 151In this episode of the Backroads Bill Podcast, professional forester Scott McPherson shares an inside look at the science, planning, and challenges behind sustainable forestry in…
- Inside the Adventures of Canada's Happy Camper · 44 min · Episode 150For decades, Kevin Callan, better known as Canada's Happy Camper, has inspired thousands of people to explore the outdoors. In this episode of the Back Roads Bill Podcast, Kevin…
- Dream Acres Alpacas: A Hidden Gem in Northern Ontario · 35 min · Episode 149Discover one of Northern Ontario's most unique attractions at Dream Acres Alpaca Farm in Matheson. In this episode of the Back Roads Bill Podcast, Danielle Piquette shares how a…
- Experiential Learning Through the Eyes of Students · 39 min · Episode 148In this episode of Backroads Bill, we hear directly from the students taking part in the Canadian Ecology Centre's immersive summer science program. They share what it's like to…
- Inside One of Ontario's Most Unique Learning Experiences · 36 min · Episode 147In this episode of Backroads Bill, we take you inside the Canadian Ecology Centre's summer programs, where students leave the traditional classroom behind and experience learning…
- How to Find Gold in Northern Ontario · 32 min · Episode 146In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with geologist, prospector, and landman Mark Hall to explore the fascinating world of gold prospecting in Northern Ontario.Mark…
- The Stories Behind North Bay's Centennial Heritage Map · 45 min · Episode 145In this episode of Backroads Bill, Bill shares the story behind the North Bay Centennial Heritage Map, a special project created to highlight 100 years of North Bay history. He…
- How Two YouTubers Document Northern Ontario's Wilderness · 39 min · Episode 144In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Sheri and Jay, the creators behind The Beauty of the Backcountry YouTube channel. The couple shares how a love of hiking…
