The Cottage Life Podcast

Anyone who has ever done-it-themselves knows the name Holmes. Canadian building legend Mike Holmes, along with his daughter, Sherry, and son, Michael, star in “Holmes on Holmes: Building a Legacy,” a new television series premiering next spring on the Cottage Life channel. Mike and Sherry chat with Michelle about the show and share their best tips when it comes to cottage construction. And what’s a hard day of work without a delici...

“The Lake,” a television series set in cottage country, just completed its second season on Amazon Prime. Creator and writer, Julian Doucet, gives us a sneak peek into the series, shot on location in and around North Bay, Ont., and shares his own experience as a cottager. Then, we turn to a term all cottagers know well: kitsch. We’ll hear an essay by Charles Wilkins that will make you cherish all of your tchotchkes. 

Specia...

Grab your trowel—it’s time to dig into the world of plants. Gardening expert Lorraine Johnson joins Michelle to share the benefits of native plants, which not only look great but have best adapted to the tricky growing conditions of cottage country. Then we’ll listen to an essay about one of the most delicious native plants: blueberries.

Special thanks to:

Lorraine Johnson, cultivation activist

Articles referenced:

“Summertime ...

You may know indie rock star Serena Ryder for her chart-topping hits, but did you know she’s also a cottager and mental health advocate? Michelle sits down with the singer to talk about her latest album, which chronicles her journey, as well as her piece of paradise that gives her solace. Former editor Penny Caldwell knows all too well about the serenity you can find at the lake. We’ll listen to her essay about how cottaging, if do...

Lyme disease is on the rise—but ticks shouldn’t stop us from enjoying the wilderness. Epidemiologist Dr. Katie Clow specializes in blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease and answers our FAQs, including how long it takes a tick to start transmitting Lyme to how we can measure and mitigate our risk of dealing with ticks while at the cottage. Another bothersome cottage-country creature is the beaver. Writer Andrea Curtis shows how to embr...

Since the onset of the pandemic, cottage communities have seen unprecedented growth. Michelle chats with longtime contributor Philip Preville about his recent CL story “Talk of the Towns,” which explored how these communities are adapting to the influx of both part-time and full-time cottagers. What does this population explosion mean for culture in rural areas, and development and infrastructure? Then, we’ll listen to an essay tha...

The climate crisis doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, we promise. In the premiere episode of season 4, Michelle sits down with renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe to share how we can reframe the climate crisis as something we can take action on. Once we’re equipped with a few tips on how to feel empowered when it comes to the environment, we’ll listen to an essay by Wayne Grady about finding your own corner of unspoiled wil...

In the season finale, we commemorate our 35th anniversary by hearing from the founder of Cottage Life, Al Zikovitz. Michelle and Al chat about how the brand got its start, the culture it’s created, and how cottaging has changed over the last three decades. Then we’ll listen to an essay by treasured Canadian writer, and CL fan-favourite, Roy MacGregor.

Articles referenced:

“Rewriting the next chapter,” by Roy MacGregor (Cottage Li...

The pandemic saw new levels of short-term renters flocking to cottage country. Michelle sits down with the executive director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations to chat about solutions to problem renters and what cottage owners who rent out their properties can do to keep their neighbours happy. Then, we’ll listen to an essay about a favourite culinary delight of late summer: fresh corn. 

Links:

Federation ...

This fall, the Cottage Life channel will be airing a fascinating documentary, “Loons: A Cry from the Mist,” all about the mysterious state of the loon population in cottage country. Michelle chats with filmmaker Julia Nunes and Dr. Doug Tozer from Birds Canada about the doc and about what cottagers can do to help the loons thrive. Then, we hear an essay from David Zimmer about one of his favourite sounds of summer. 

Links:

C...

Ready to play tourist? This week, we’re going on a private on-site tour of the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough. Michelle speaks with museum Executive Director, Carolyn Hyslop, and Curator, Jeremy Ward, and learns all about the museum’s collection of more than 600 watercraft. We’ll also hear an essay by journalist Paul Rush about dealing with a medical emergency when you are alone at the lake. 

Special thanks to:

Caroly...

Looking to renovate your cottage but not sure where to start? Interior designer and television personality Jillian Harris joins Michelle to talk about one of her latest passions: cottaging. She shares her experience reviving an old farmhouse in Kelowna, B.C., and offers tips on how to revamp on a budget. One way to add some personality to your space is with collectibles and memorabilia. We’ll listen to an essay by journalist Ellen ...

Our very own Cottage Coach, Adam Holman, and his wife, Jennie Holman, are here to chat with you about ticks, including what every cottager should know and what to do if one attaches itself to you. Then, Adam and Jennie debunk some of the biggest tick myths in cottage country. We’ll also hear an essay that will inspire you to go on a hike at the lake, especially now that you have the information you need to protect yourself against ...

Every cottager knows having a pet at the lake is a little different than having it in the city. Dr. Savannah Howse-Smith, from Cottage Life’s television show Dr. Savannah: Wild Rose Vet, is here to share what pet owners need to pay special attention to when their furry friend is in the wilderness. Pets may be a big commitment, but nothing is quite as much work as the upkeep required when you own a cottage. Journalist Orland French ...

We love a good wildlife shot, but nature photography can quickly become dangerous for both humans and animals. In this episode, Michelle chats with Erin Ryan, a biologist and wild animal welfare specialist at the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, about the potential threat of irresponsible wildlife photography practices and easy tips to remember the next time you shoot flora and fauna. Then, journal...

You don’t need a map to get to the cottage, but do you know why? In the premiere episode of Season 3, Liann Bobechko, Deputy Editor of CL, joins Michelle to dig into the science of wayfinding and shares why we shouldn’t always rely on GPS. Equipped with new map-making skills, we revisit an essay about a treasure hunt on Georgian Bay by Giller-Prize nominated Canadian journalist, playwright, and novelist David MacFarlane. Then we ki...

On the last episode of the season, we chat with a true cottage expert—former editor and publisher of Cottage Life, Penny Caldwell. She shares an insider look into working on the magazine for 18 years, what she’s learned from cottagers, and what makes cottaging in Canada so special. Plus, she answers the most common Q&As we get to the magazine. Also, we’ll revisit an essay about the traditions we form while being a kid at the co...

Should a red sky at night really give sailors delight? Michelle interviews David Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, about the weather lore we love to share. Whether the sun is shining or rain is coming down at the cottage, it’s always a good time for a nap. We revisit an essay by journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the rebellious act of catching a few zzzs when you’re at the lake. Plus, if yo...

Safe boating practices continue to be a hot topic among cottagers. On this week’s episode, we chat with Diana Piquette, the president of Safe Quiet Lakes, an organization with the goal of making cottage-country lakes safer for everyone. Then we’ll hear about journalist and Lake Simcoe cottager Sasha Chapman’s experience making maple syrup. Last, we offer a key tip for potential cottage guests: what never to bring for a weekend at t...