I Left The City

I Left The City

Hastings County

Episodes 42
Avg. Duration 13m
Activity Sporadic
Since Jan 2017
Latest Episode Oct 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Hosting
feeds.soundcloud.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to 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 make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. 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.

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Recent Episodes

A Software Entrepreneur Buys an Art Gallery in Tweed - Episode 41

Oct 17, 2025 22m

Paul Kite is the owner of the art gallery Quinn's of Tweed. In this episode, we talk about how this former software entrepreneur found himself moving to Tweed and taking over a gallery without any…

An HR Professional Opens a Bookstore in Stirling - Episode 40

Oct 10, 2025 32m

Tracey Starrett left her corporate HR job to do something many bookish people have fantasized about: open a bookstore. Tracey’s journey with the Stirling Book Company has lots of relatable lessons…

A Former Stunt Rider Builds an All-Electric Motocross Track - Episode 39

Oct 03, 2025 30m

Dan Turcotte is a man who's worn many hats: radio host, record producer, professional stunt bicycle rider. These days, Dan is the CEO of Pet Shop Productions in Toronto and TerreMX, a first of its…

A Graphic Designer Leaves the City Without Leaving Her Career - Episode 38

Sep 26, 2025 14m

Shevon Sigouin is a graphic designer from Toronto preparing to move to Hastings County. In this episode, she shares her long-standing connection to the county, why now felt like the right time to…

A Couple in Tech Builds a Glamping Dome in Maynooth - Episode 37

Sep 19, 2025 37m

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…

Re-Introducing: I Left the City

Sep 18, 2025 0m

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…

Paul Backewich - Architect - Episode 36

Oct 20, 2022 12m

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…

Zach Reid - Align Coffee - Episode 35

Sep 28, 2022 13m

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

Sep 17, 2021 16m

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…

Janice Chrysler - Mindful Journey - Episode 33

Jun 03, 2021 17m

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…

Shari Pearce - Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce - Episode 32

Mar 31, 2021 19m

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…

Kings Mill Cider - Episode 31

Feb 12, 2021 13m

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…

Joyce Ioannou Episode 30

Jan 22, 2021 20m

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,…

Natasha Kasmaii Alves Episode 29

Dec 24, 2020 28m

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…

Kelly Beulieu Episode 28

Dec 09, 2020 11m

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…

Christine McLean Episode 27

Nov 25, 2020 11m

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…

Emily O'Donnell-MacKinnon Episode 26

Oct 30, 2020 13m

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…

Dionne Baker Episode 25

Sep 25, 2020 18m

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.

I Left The City - Episode 24 - Laura Reavie

Sep 15, 2020 13m

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…

I Left The City - Episode 23 - Lee Knuttila

Jul 31, 2020 14m

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does I Left The City have?

I Left The City has published 42 episodes since January 2017, covering topics in Business.

Is I Left The City still active?

I Left The City is currently sporadic with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 13m.

How do I contact I Left The City for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for I Left The City, including email and social media links.

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