If you’ve ever fantasized about moving or starting a business in cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to relocate to a picturesque place between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate and welcoming neighbors, visit investinhastings.ca for resources on startups, commercial property listings, and more.
I Left The City is available wherever you get your Podcasts.
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New Episodes
New 2025 Season
After a three year hiatus, I Left the City is back with all new stories about business owners and professionals bringing their wildly authentic dreams to life in Hastings County. The episodes have a new sound, a new host, and a new option to listen or *watch*.
Episode 37
A Couple in Tech Builds a Glamping Dome in Maynooth
Rick Dolishny and Jenn Carr are a world-travelling couple that bought a property in Hastings County and saw an opportunity to build a glamping experience unlike anything in Ontario. But getting Maynooth Station Lodge off the ground turned out to be more challenging than expected. In this episode, we dig into all of the glamorous (and not so glamorous) details of their business journey, why they love Maynooth, and how they became TikTok famous.
Meet the Host
I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media.
As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.
Past Episodes
2022 - 2017
Listen to past episodes of the I Left The City podcast.
Paul Backewich - Architect - Episode 36
On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, chats with Paul Backewich, an architect who recently left the big city and made Hastings County his home.
www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/t…emed-getaway/
Zach Reid - Align Coffee - Episode 35
On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Zach Reid, co-owner of Align Coffee.
Susan Lewis - Emerald Earring - Episode 34
On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Susan Lewis who recently opened her new business the Emerald Earring in downtown Madoc.
Janice Chrysler - Mindful Journey - Episode 33
On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Janice Chrysler of Mindful Journey in Marmora and Lake.
Shari Pearce - Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce - Episode 32
On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Shari Pierce, President of the Madoc and District Chamber of Commerce.
Kings Mill Cider - Episode 31
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Margaret Van Helvoort and Kees Morsink, owners of Kings Mill Cider in Stirling-Rawdon Township.
Joyce Ioannou - Episode 30
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Joyce Ioannou, a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Reflexology & Wellness Coach. Joyce owns and operates Cedars Wellness Clinic & Retreat in Marmora & Lake.
Natasha Kasmaii Alves - Episode 29
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Natasha Kasmaii Alves, a Technical Curriculum Developer, Presenter and Entrepreneur who recently purchased For The Halibut Fish & Chips in Bancroft with her husband.
Kelly Beulieu - Episode 28
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Kelly Beulieu, a teacher and owner/operator of The Good Daughter in Bancroft.
Christine McLean - Episode 27
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Christine McLean, found of Creative Minds Retreat, a consultancy and career coaching business.
Emily O'Donnell-MacKinnon - Episode 26
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Emily O'Donnell MacKinnon, owner and operator of Mack Attack Outdoors.
Dionne Baker - Episode 25
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Dionne Baker, founder and owner of Shop Boss Secrets.
Laura Reavie - Episode 24
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Laura Reavie, founder and owner of Skootamatta Environmental Consulting Inc.
Lee Knuttila - Episode 23
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Lee Knuttila, founder and owner of Quietly Coffee.
John Bondar - Episode 22
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with John Bondar, President of Shannonville Motorsport Park.
Andrew MacDonald - Episode 21
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Andrew MacDonald, Co-Founder of KASAMA Marketing.
Dr. Sandy Musclow - Episode 20
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Dr. Sandy Musclow, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and owner of Foundation Stone Medicine.
Tim Porter - Episode 19
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Tim Porter, the founding and current Artistic Director of Tweed and Company Theatre.
Ro Munich - Episode 18
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Ro Munich, owner and operator of the Arlington Hotel in Maynooth, ON
Michelle Annette Tremblay - Episode 17
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Michelle Annette Tremblay of WordBird Media
Timmy Boyle - Episode 16
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with comedian Timmy Boyle.
Melanie Williams - Episode 15
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Melanie Williams who has built her law practice in Marmora and Lake.
David Ferguson - Episode 14
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with wood worker David Ferguson.
Jane Johnson - Episode 13
On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Jane Johnson of Hidden Potential Consulting.
Alysha Dominico - Episode 12
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with communications expert Alysha Dominico, co-founder of Tangible Words, a company that helps businesses across Ontario and beyond market themselves online.
Jaimie Jolly - Episode 11
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with professional make-up artist Jaimie Jolly. Jaimie was a cottager in the area for years but hated to leave so she decided to bring her salon and family to Hastings County year-round.
Sukhan Bains - Episode 10
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with accountant Sukhan Bains, who moved from India to build a unique business and lifestyle in Bancroft. Sukhan helps businesses keep their books in order while finding lots of time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Michele Gallo - Episode 9
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with electrician Michele Gallo, who chose northern Hastings County for the location of his company Gallo Teck where he is helping to bring solar energy to homes, cottages and even boats.
June Wells - Episode 8
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with photographer June Wells, who turned her vacation property in Coe Hill into her year-round home and business. She operates Tin House Woodworking and gift shop with her husband Jeff.
Logan Krupa - Episode 7
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Logan Krupa, who returned from the city to his small town roots to run his family bar and restaurant. He recently opened the Bancroft Brewing Company to provide local craft beer to the region.
Carly & Shaun - Episode 6
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Carly O’Neill and Shaun Zoernack who moved from the Rockie Mountains to settle in Hastings County and open the Lakehouse Restaurant on Paudash Lake near Bancroft.
Jenn Bennett - Episode 5
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Jenn Bennett, who returned from the big city to her small town roots and now operates Jenn Creative Consulting in Marmora. Jenn balances her own business with a growing young family and loves life in Hastings County.
Trevor Telford - Episode 4
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Trevor Telford of the Black River Retreat, a private couples retreat getaway in Tweed. Black River Retreat is renowned for the atmosphere and amazing food that Trevor prepares daily for his guests.
Luca Molteni - Episode 3
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with Italian chef Luca Molteni, who opened The Barn Chefs with his wife Sarah Woods. After traveling the world cooking amazing dishes, Luca has settled in Coe Hill and is making the region a more tasty place to live.
Jackie Jarrell - Episode 2
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with women’s hockey star Jackie Jarrell, who recently opened her own training centre in Tyendinaga Township to help up and coming athletes reach their peak performance.
Sandor Johnson - Episode 01
On this episode of I Left the City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager for Hastings County, sits down with actor and model Sandor Johnson, who spends the summer months in Hastings County. The former All My Children actor and Calvin Klein model opened Potter Settlement Vineyards and Winery on his family’s 180 year old farm in Tweed.