"Send us a text about this episode!"

Why You Should Listen to This Episode: If you've ever air-guitared to "I Like to Rock," wondered what it takes to build a brand over five decades, or just love hearing stories that remind you why mid-Island life is something special, this episode delivers. Lloyd Derry pulls back the curtain on the most exciting Beach Fest summer concert series in Parksville's history — including a mystery concert that will be the biggest show the area has ever seen. And “PD” Ducommon's story of building Canada's oldest skateboard brand from a Nanaimo bedroom to Qualicum Beach’s international headquarters is the kind of origin story you don't forget.

This Episode Features:

(23:35) Peter "PD" Ducommon has been shaping skateboard culture since first stepping on a board in Nanaimo in 1974. As founder of Skull Skates — Canada's oldest skateboard brand — and PD's Hot Shop, he has spent over five decades bridging skateboarding, snowboarding, art, and music. With locations that have spanned Hollywood's Melrose Avenue, North Vancouver, downtown Vancouver, and a partner shop in Gifu, Japan, PD has recently moved Skull Skates' international headquarters to Qualicum Beach, just up the road from where it all began. The Qualicum Beach shop is home to a Pop Culture Museum showcasing five decades of skateboarding history. skullskates.com

(08:00) Lloyd Derry is the Entertainment Director of the Parksville Beach Festival Society and the creative force behind one of mid-Vancouver Island's most beloved summer traditions. This year, the BeachFest opener features April Wine — the legendary Canadian rock band with over 20 albums. The Tim Hortons Free Summer Concert Series returns with eight free outdoor concerts across July and August. Mid-Island Co-op BeachFest Rocks begins August 7th, with an incredible roster of world-class tribute acts. And Lloyd teases one more major announcement: a mystery concert on August 21st that he calls "the single biggest concert in Parksville's history" — to be revealed April 7th. Get tickets and full lineup details at parksvillebeachfest.ca and the McMillan Art Centre Box Office.

Episode Quotes:

"We've never had a business plan — other than to get up every day and make cool things happen. Dedication is our gimmick." — Peter "PD" Ducommon, Skull Skates founder

"Where else, for that kind of money, do you sit in an idyllic setting such as our beautiful Community Park, with a world-class facility, listening to world-class entertainment?" — Lloyd Derry, BeachFest Society

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors:

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

Why You Should Listen to This Episode

If you've ever felt like stress was getting the better of you, or wondered whether resilience is something you can actually learn, this conversation is for you. Serena brings both professional expertise and genuine personal vulnerability — a rare combination. Whether you're a student navigating an overwhelming season, a parent watching your kids struggle, or simply someone looking for a more grounded way to move through difficulty, this episode is a reminder that resilience isn't about toughening up — it's about understanding yourself more deeply.

In this episode:

Serena Klaver joins A Resilience Project to share the inspiring work she and her co-facilitator have been doing on Vancouver Island — bringing the My True Resiliency workshop to university students across the region.

As a professional planning consultant, Serena has developed a program that gives students a practical toolkit for building resilience. The workshop helps participants tap into habits and skills for understanding their emotional needs, while developing healthy responses to stress. She and her co-facilitator have been delivering this program to universities across Vancouver Island, meeting students where they are and giving them meaningful tools to carry forward.

Beyond the workshop, Serena speaks with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from lived experience. In this episode, she opens up about her own journey through loss — and what she has learned about herself along the way.

You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at https://thepulsecommunity.ca

Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

Learn more about Serena Klaver: https://www.serenaklaver.com

Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests: https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#SerenaKlaver #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

Why You Should Listen to This Episode: This one has real range — and real heart. If you've ever loved a blues-rock record, been curious about what drives a local business community, or just wanted to hear two genuinely fascinating people share their stories, this episode is for you. Colin James opens up in a way you rarely hear from a musician of his stature — honest, funny, and reflective. And Dr. Omar Karim brings an energy and global perspective to local business that will leave Parksville listeners genuinely excited about what's coming.

This Episode Features:

(30:42) Colin James is one of Canada's most celebrated blues-rock guitarists — an eight-time Juno Award winner with 21 records and a career spanning more than four decades. His Chasing the Sun Tour brings him to Vancouver Island this spring, with shows in Sidney, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, and Campbell River. Colin sits down with The PULSE to talk about recovering from a serious car accident, writing his upcoming memoir, touring with Terra Lightfoot, a riverboat concert on the Douro River in Portugal and what it means to return to Vancouver Island — a place he calls close to home. https://colinjames.com/events/

(07:45) Dr. Omar Karim is a professor, global leadership architect and the new interim executive director of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce. With an MBA, a Master's in international business, and a doctorate in higher education, Dr. Karim brings a fresh and ambitious vision to one of Parksville Quaicum’s most vital business organizations. He joins The PULSE to talk about the Chamber's newly launched youth membership pass for ages 13–30, a revamped digital membership website, the return of the Business Excellence Awards on April 9th, a new Entrepreneur Hub offering shared services for small businesses on Vancouver Island, and an emerging international partnership that could put Parksville on the global stage. https://www.parksvillechamber.com/

Episode Quotes:

"Just remaining grateful for being able to do what I love for a living — after 21 records. Stevie got cut short and didn't have that opportunity." — Colin James on Stevie Ray Vaughan

"What we're trying to do is create a platform that is welcoming, inclusive, and provides accessibility and opportunities for learning and professional development for our membership." — Dr. Omar Karim

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Fireside Books

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on

Support the show