Author: Ysabel

In episode 2 of Branches Between Generations, we sat down with Keith and Peter as they explored topics related to engineering, technology, and swapping ideas.

A Conversation Across Generations

This week’s recording session brought together two curious minds with Keith and Peter. With mics on, headphones adjusted, and a little pre-chat to shake off the jitters, the two sat down for a conversation that quickly found its rhythm.

A Shared Fascination

Though from different generations, Keith and Peter connected almost instantly over a mutual love of engineering and technology. Their conversation flowed naturally, and soon they were swapping stories about how tools, systems, and ideas have evolved so much that a book even entered the mix!

Peter brought the wisdom of lived experience. Keith offered fresh insight into today’s innovations and shared his hopes for the future.

These kinds of exchanges; genuine, thoughtful, and unscripted, are exactly why this project matters. It’s not about perfect audio or polished takes. It’s about people seeing each other and learning something new, one story at a time.

Behind the Scenes

Clinton, our producer, helped guide the conversation gently from the sidelines, offering encouragement and the occasional cue. Siska, as always, was behind the lens and on audio, making sure everything looked and sounded just right.

More Like This, Please

As we continue pairing up teens and seniors, sessions like Keith and Peter’s remind us of the incredible wisdom and curiosity waiting just beneath the surface. All it takes is a mic, a good question, and someone willing to listen.

In episode 1 of Branches Between Generations, we sat down with Madeline and Aileen. Here are some “behind the scenes” from our crew at Podio.

We’re Experiencing Technical Difficulties

We ran through a few things as a group beforehand. You don’t always plan for little hiccups, but they always find a way to show up. A few camera settings weren’t quite behaving, and we had to pause to get everything working just right.

But once the tech started cooperating and we gave the green light to roll, something shifted. The awkwardness faded, and what remained was simply two people… talking.

Lots to Talk About

Clinton didn’t have to step in much once the conversation got going, which is always a good sign. Aileen and Maddy fell into a rhythm pretty quickly. Despite the age gap, their conversation felt easy and full of warmth.

Aileen shared bits of her story, places she’s lived, memories from her youth, and Maddy listened with wide eyes and genuine interest, responding with her own thoughts and thoughtful follow-ups.

Capturing the Moment

It’s a subtle but powerful thing when the equipment disappears, not physically, but mentally. The cameras were still rolling, the mics still live, but for Aileen and Maddy, it didn’t feel like a recording session anymore. It just felt like a connection. That’s the sweet spot we always aim for, and when it happens, it’s magic.

Wrapping Up

By the time we wrapped up for the day, the nerves were long gone. Maddy was already thinking about her next visit, and Aileen gave her a warm thank-you that felt more like a “see you soon” than a goodbye.

Pairing up teens and seniors for these recordings is more than just an exercise in storytelling; it’s a chance to watch understanding grow in real time. It’s about showing up, listening in, and discovering how much we can learn from one another when we make space to share.

Want to Get Involved?

If this kind of project speaks to you, we’d love to chat. Whether you’re a local business, a community member, or someone who just wants to help keep these conversations going, becoming a sponsor means being part of something meaningful. Let’s make more moments like this happen. Fill out the sponsor form today and be involved.

On Sunday we had the remaining teens in to get them familiar with the studio.

Participants arrived shortly after noon and were bright into the studio individually to have a short conversation.

Participants were shown where they were going to be seated during their conversations and where they were to look so that we could capture the best camera angles and lighting. We placed the microphones in the correct position and guided them through that process so that they are aware for their recording day and totally prepared.

Getting to know the participants

Clinton asked the participants a few questions during their time in the studio chair to get to know them each a little better. This process helped to get the teens comfortable in front of the camera and microphone.

It also gave us a chance to get to know them a bit more so that we can pair them with the person with whims they’ll have the best chemistry and conversations. We are really trying to create those magical connections.

Trying to beat the heat

The studio is small and while it has heat it does not currently have air conditioning. Not to stress though, we’ve installed a small window air conditioner to get the studio comfortable before and in between recordings in an effort to keep things comfortable when in recording sessions.

We’re trying our best to stay cool during this summer heat.

So, what’s next?

We are pairing our teens with a senior and scheduling recording sessions. Recording will commence this week, July 15, 2025.

This week, four teens: three boys and one girl, joined us for a hands-on casting training session at Podio Studio. Ranging in age from 12 to 17, these young participants didn’t just show up they leaned in. Over the course of the afternoon, they toured the studio, learned about the equipment, and got a crash course in what it means to show up on mic and on camera with confidence.

Studio Tour and Equipment 101

The session started with a quick walkthrough: lights, cameras, mics, buttons, lots of buttons. We kept things simple and fun. Facts were shared. Questions were asked. The goal wasn’t to overwhelm, but to make the space feel less intimidating and more theirs.

Group Discussion and Comfort Check-In

After the tour, the group sat down with Mark to talk through the project and get a feel for where everyone was nervous, excited, or somewhere in between. The vibe was open, casual, and surprisingly honest.

From there, Clinton and Siska invited participants into the studio one by one for a visual and sound check. This wasn’t just “press record” they were coached on how to sit, where to look, and what angles worked best on camera. Sometimes the tiniest posture shift made all the difference.

Podcast Barbie: She Doesn’t Talk, But She’s Got Presence

Oh, and we introduced them to our new co-star: a doll perched quietly in the corner of the room. Weird? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. It gave the teens something consistent to look at while talking, which made managing eye contact way easier especially when nerves kicked in.

We are ready for pairing up!

Everyone got a turn. Everyone tried. Everyone improved. By the end of the session, you could feel the energy shift from “this is scary” to “okay… I got this.”

This wasn’t a final audition. It wasn’t about being perfect. It was about making space for learning, stumbling, adjusting, and laughing through the awkward bits. The goal was simple: get comfortable enough to connect. And now? They’re ready to be paired up with our senior participants and bring those intergenerational conversations to life.

That’s it for today

We say it often, but it’s worth repeating great storytelling starts with people feeling seen, heard, and supported. That’s what training days like this are for.

And yes, the doll is staying.

If you’re interested in being part of the cast, fill out our casting form.
For studio bookings or inquiries, get in touch with us.

At the heart of sunny Parksville, the Berwick Retirement Community’s courtyard recently buzzed with something truly special: a hands-on training session tailored for six spirited seniors, aged between 55 and 95. With microphones, headphones, and sound equipment on hand, this program helps our cherished residents gain confidence and clarity in recorded conversation.

Getting set up for a run through

Doing a run through on-location is not as easy as doing it in the studio.

We packed up the Rodecaster Pro II, two Rode Podmics, two mic stands, our Audio Technica headphones and headed over to Berwick.

While the Podmics do pick up a lot of ambient noises, we were able to do the run through and gain practice.

Conversations in Pairs

In twos, participants sat with Mark and he guided them through a small set of questions to practice the conversation with them wearing the headphones and get a feel for how they sounded when speaking into the microphones.

Embrace and Record

After each round, participants removed their headphones and reflected on their performance. Together, we discussed voice clarity, pacing, and comfort behind the mic.

While on-site, we had the participants sign the video release waivers, granting permission for their recordings to be used.

Why It Matters

Boosting Confidence: Even for those less tech-savvy, the hands-on lesson broke down barriers and proved it can be fun, at any age.

Capturing Legacies: These sessions help preserve voices, stories, and smiles.

Building Community: Shared experiences in the courtyard deepened bonds, as residents cheered each other on with genuine enthusiasm.

Looking Ahead

Next steps? We’ll review the information before the session and begin to think about pairing our seniors with the teens for their actual conversations.

In Closing

Training sessions like these are more than just audio practice, they’re celebrations of insight, experience, and community spirit. At Berwick Retirement Community in Parksville, age is no barrier to learning, to sharing, and to being heard.

If you’re interested in being part of the cast, fill out our casting form.
For studio bookings or inquiries, get in touch with us.

Today was a big day for the “Branches Between Generations” team! We held our first test session at Podio Studio, and it was a great opportunity to work out the kinks and get a feel for the studio setup.

Teamwork in Action

Clinton took the lead as producer/director, guiding the session and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Siska and Mark were in the studio operating room, handling the technical side of things. We were able to see how our recent changes worked out and also identify a few minor areas for improvement. We’re so stoked to get things rolling with the new set up.

New Studio Gear

We’ve recently upgraded some of our equipment, including the backlights, main light, and microphone stands. These new additions will help us achieve the high-quality look and sound we’re aiming for.

Four Cameras, One Vision

Speaking of cameras, we have a large-screen TV setup that allows us to view all four camera feeds simultaneously. This is thanks to our new 4-in-1 switcher, which we managed to set up with some creative cable management. This is essential for maintaining quality control and ensuring we capture the best possible footage for the podcast.

Meet Our Test Subjects

We were fortunate to have Karen Heisler, Siska’s mom’s partner, and Mark’s middle daughter, Skylar Beuerman, as our on-camera subjects for this session. Karen brought her senior wisdom, while Skylar provided the junior perspective. Despite Skylar’s younger age, this duo gave us a chance to test the intergenerational dynamic that’s central to “Branches Between Generations”.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

The primary goal of this session was to test our equipment, space, and studio setup. We wanted to make sure everything was working cohesively before we moved into full-scale casting and production. It’s always better to identify potential issues early on!

The conversations are just getting started

We’re thrilled with how the test session went and even more excited for what’s ahead. With the setup dialed in and the vision coming to life, Branches Between Generations is one step closer to launch.

If you’re interested in being part of the cast, fill out our casting form.
For studio bookings or inquiries, get in touch with us.

Yesterday, the Branches Between Generations team traded Wi-Fi for warm air and screen time for facetime at Parksville’s Summer by the Sea Street Market. Every Tuesday from 6 to 9 pm, the downtown strip transforms into a lively hub of local vendors, tourists, and community energy—perfect for finding the kind of people you just don’t meet online. Our producer and volunteers strolled the market chatting with curious teens and seniors about our intergenerational podcast and inviting them to audition. Let’s just say: we got a lot further with real smiles than we ever did with posters taped to lampposts.

While social media and printed posters are essential tools, there’s something irreplaceable about in-person outreach—especially when your podcast is literally about human connection. Being physically present in the heart of the community helped people understand not just what we’re doing, but why. They could see our enthusiasm, ask questions on the spot, and imagine themselves (or their grandkids!) behind the mic. Plus, we got to support an event organized by the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce—because community building is a team sport.

So if you’re thinking of launching your own podcast, remember: the best stories often start at the market, not in your inbox. Get out there. Talk to people. Let your mic meet the world before it meets your mixer. And if you’re local, come visit Podio Studio in downtown Parksville—we’ve got a cozy recording space and a soft spot for big-hearted ideas.

New Local Podcast ‘Branches Between Generations’ Launches Casting Call to Bring Seniors and Teens Together for Unfiltered Conversations

[Parksville, B.C.] – Clinton Nellist and team are thrilled to announce that Branches Between Generations, a heartwarming and eye-opening video podcast project, has been selected to receive a $12,000 production grant from TELUS STORYHIVE. The podcast will be recorded this summer at Podio Studio in downtown Parksville and will premiere next year on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+, and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.

This unique podcast invites eight seniors (ages 55–95) and eight youth (ages 12–17) to engage in meaningful, intergenerational conversations—exploring everything from technology to relationships, history, careers, and what truly stands the test of time. Participants will also take part in a short podcasting workshop to get comfortable behind the mic. No prior experience is needed—just a curious mind and a willingness to share.

We are currently casting local teens and seniors to join us! If you love to talk, listen, and connect, we want to hear from you. To apply, send us a short introduction along with the topics you’d love to explore in conversation with someone from a different generation.

“Parksville is a place where generations often live side by side, but rarely do they sit down and really talk to each other. This podcast changes that,” says Clinton Nellist, producer and creator of the series. “We’re giving both teens and elders the mic—and a moment to be heard.”

About Clinton Nellist:

Clinton Nellist is a political commentator and podcast producer based on Vancouver Island. With a background in political science and public dialogue, his work explores the intersections of community, culture, and communication.

About TELUS STORYHIVE

Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE has been able to support a community of thousands of local content creators across British Columbia and Alberta, providing over $66.9 million in production funding and creating a safe space for storytellers to hone their skills and bring the projects they care about to life. For more information, visit https://www.storyhive.com/.

Media Contact:

Clinton Nellist, Producer

E-mail: clinton@podiostudio.ca 

Phone: (250) 240-5641 or (250) 208-3451

Website: https://podio.ca/ 

Social: @creativeclinton // @podiostudio.ca // Follow us on Facebook

“Students from the digital age sit face to face with seniors from Canada’s retirement capital to discuss the changing nature of the world—and what intuitive wisdom stands the test of time.”