Radio Episode 2: Relational Discovery
Creating Christmas Connections
What I’m realizing is that our radio show, the Archipelager Hour doesn’t just document connection across the Islands — it actively creates it.
This past week stretched from Hanukkah through Solstice and Christmas. It was jammie-packed with family, food, and celebrations. By midweek, we hadn’t recorded a thing and began to wonder what the show might feature.
Knowing we’d be live at 5pm on Friday gave me a kind of permission structure: to follow threads of curiosity and serendipity, encouraging adventure, and to boldly reach out and listen.
On Christmas Eve morning, standing in line at Francis Bread, I struck up a conversation with Jon van Tamelen about his archipelagic life and upcoming book launch. He promised an interview soon.
My inspiring landlord, David Denning of Nature Salt Spring, came by the cottage and we recorded a long conversation about his life path and sea stars in the sunshine while hummingbirds whistled about (now saved for a future naturalist episode).
Later, playing with our kids at the pool, I ran into my friend Danielle Osieck in the hot tub, recently returned from three years sailing around the Pacific with her family. She was open to an interview, soon.
Suddenly it was Thursday afternoon, with one day to go. So, with the kids at a sleepover, my sister Renee and I decided to follow-up on one of last week’s suggested adventures: the Mayne Island Japanese Garden Lights — a volunteer-run, by-donation alternative to Butchart Gardens, complete with warm drinks and cookies.
We caught the 3:35pm ferry from Long Harbour with a thermos of soup and fresh bread, and spent the evening wandering colourfully-lit pathways, chatting with long-time garden stewards, and sharing our mind-blowing psychedelic holiday glasses with strangers.
Big thanks to Ingrid and Jim Marsh for this interview—they’ve been tending the gardens for 21 years:
See the rainbow candy canes? Awesome Holiday Specs refract Christmas lights into different shapes:
After a beautiful curry dinner at The Black Cardamom, I thought I’d left my wallet in the car, so Renee covered it. But back at Village Bay, when I searched for my Experience Card, it was gone. The ticket booth attendant radioed the Salish Eagle. They had found my wallet, which I’d accidentally dropped on the car deck, and he happily handed me our tickets.
While we waited at the Mayne ferry terminal, we tucked into the warm waiting room. Soon, a couple of ferry workers joined us. Taking advantage of room’s excellent acoustics, Rosa Ripley began to sing:
When we finally boarded, a spritely woman with open arms greeted me: “You must be Robin!” She gave me a big hug, and handed me my wallet. A Christmas miracle…
Meanwhile, back on Saturna, Ryan recorded an interview with Tanja Dixon-Warren, from the SATRN-FM Hoarse Raven Theatre, ahead of the live radio play: Miracle on 34th Street they’re performing this weekend:
Friday, I phoned Danielle Osieck—and she was spontaneously free to meet at the CHIR.FM studio. We had a great time. Listen to her full interview here, including a deep stare into the eyes of a Pilot Whale.
Across these Islands, we’re connected by water, shared generosity and openness, and a certain biogeographic kinship. This new radio show is teaching me that if I ask and listen, relationships deepen, and some great stories emerge.
This Week’s Nearby Adventures
(Details & ferry logistics in this linked separate post)
Saturna Island Radio Play (Sunday Daytrip)
Mayne Island Japanese Garden Lights (Mon-Thurs afternoon-eve RT)
NYE Pender Lantern Festival (Wednesday afternoon-eve RT)
Polar Bear Swims (All Islands Thursday — with extra events on Galiano)
Coming Soon: Jon van Tamelen Book Launch (Jan 17, 2026)