200th Episode Event: How This Podcast Was Built 🎉
Untold Behind the Scenes Stories 🎤
Five years ago, I was a broke law student commuting five hours a day between Chilliwack and UBC. I was listening to hours of podcasts—absorbing wisdom, curiosity, and conviction from people who dared to speak boldly. Somewhere in the middle of those long bus rides and even longer days, a seed was planted.
What if I started a podcast of my own?
Back then, I didn’t know anything about lighting, production, distribution—or even interviewing. I just knew I wanted to talk to people who inspired me. Entrepreneurs. Elders. Politicians. Local leaders. I wanted to hear about the moments that shaped them, the failures they learned from, and what drives them to serve something bigger than themselves.
With $2,000 I didn’t have, I bought my first mic, recorder, and camera. And then I hit “record.”
That was the start of The Bigger Than Me Podcast.
Earlier this month, I hosted a live event to celebrate the 200th episode. What began as a solo passion project has grown into a collaborative platform, supported by a brilliant team of creators, strategists, and friends. This night wasn’t just about reflecting on the past—it was about revealing what’s next.
🎥 Watch the full 200th Episode Live Event here: Watch on YouTube
Rebekah Myrol: From Dream to Reality
Rebekah—my partner in life and work—stood beside me when this was nothing more than a crazy idea tossed around during a late-night walk in downtown Chilliwack. She helped name the podcast, shaped its early direction, and built the digital foundation that keeps it running.
At the live event, she reflected on what those early days were like. The awkward first episodes. The technical missteps. The long hours editing and uploading while juggling school, work, and life. She spoke to the courage it takes to start something—and the discipline it takes to keep going.
Rebekah now manages much of our social media strategy, working tirelessly to translate deep conversations into accessible, visual stories across platforms. Her message was about risk—that every meaningful venture demands discomfort. That’s what she saw in me when I first pitched the idea of spending thousands of borrowed dollars on podcast equipment. And that’s what she reminded everyone in the room: risk is the price of purpose.
Tim McAlpine: Creating the Space for Conversation
Tim McAlpine is the founder of Cowork Chilliwack and Studio C, but more importantly, he’s been the builder behind the scenes. He turned a photo studio and storage room into a production-quality stage that’s now home to the podcast.
Tim shared the story of how we met—after I showed up sunburned and desperate to record a three-hour episode with the Mayor of Abbotsford. He offered me the use of Studio C and took a chance on a podcaster with a vision, but no budget. Since then, we’ve produced over 100 episodes in that space.
But Tim isn’t just a producer. He’s been a mentor and a friend. From the beginning, he watched each episode unfold from the control booth, noticing the precise moment when guests went from skeptical to leaning in. He’s the reason Nuanced has a home that feels professional, consistent, and trusted. He taught me what it means to add production value—not for vanity, but for legitimacy.
His reflections reminded me that behind every voice that’s heard, there’s a village making it possible.
Alex Harte: Photography with Purpose
If you’ve seen a thumbnail, a behind-the-scenes shot, or a promo image from the podcast, chances are it came from the lens of Alex Harte.
Alex and I go way back. We first met at the Shiam Centre gym in Chilliwack, where we’d trade laughs between workouts. Years later, during the pandemic, Alex was living on Vancouver Island finishing his degree and had started a project called “grad photos by donation.” It was his way of giving students—who’d lost ceremonies to lockdowns—a memory, a moment of recognition.
That’s the kind of heart Alex brings to everything.
When we reconnected, I had just started the podcast and was figuring out what a visual identity could look like. His photography brought a new dimension to the show. He captured not just what the guest looked like—but what they felt. He spoke at the event about the power of still images to carry story, to show candid moments of vulnerability, joy, connection, and passion.
It’s not just headshots. It’s storytelling in its own right. And his belief in this work has matched mine from day one.
From Bigger Than Me to Nuanced
After 200 episodes, I knew it was time for a change.
The Bigger Than Me Podcast began with a clear mission: to talk to people who were doing something larger than themselves. That mission remains. But as the show evolved, I found myself wanting to dive deeper—not just into people’s stories, but into the ideas they were wrestling with.
The name “Bigger Than Me” often led to confusion. I’d say it, and people would ask, “Bigger than what?” or “Can you repeat that?” It was too long, too vague, and didn’t fully reflect the direction we were heading.
So, we’re now Nuanced.
This new chapter is about more than a name. It’s a philosophy. We live in polarized times—left vs. right, us vs. them. Nuanced is about slowing down, asking better questions, and steelmanning opposing views instead of tearing them down.
We’re going to keep doing interviews—but I’ll also be adding my own voice. Solo episodes. Analytical deep dives. Reflections on where we are as a society and how we can move forward without losing our minds—or each other.
This is about making space for complexity, contradiction, and compassion.
Matej Balaz & COLLA Films: Crafting the Identity
The new brand—logo, intros, visual language—was brought to life by Matej Balaz and the incredible team at COLLA Films in Abbotsford.
Matej took the stage with humility, humor, and (yes) a Britney Spears mic. He walked us through the branding process—from the first sketch to the final product. There were over 100 versions of the logo, dozens of drafts of facial expressions, and endless debates over what kind of “smile” felt authentic to the tone of the podcast.
What emerged was a sleek, professional, yet warm identity. One that reflects not just who I am as a host, but who we are as a team. It incorporates an eagle—a nod to my heritage and my home at Chawathil First Nation—and maintains the sharp edges of journalism while inviting dialogue.
Matej and his team (Dasha, Camille, Alex, Harnoor, Abby, and Kiana) have helped elevate the podcast visually and strategically. They didn’t just give me a new logo. They gave Nuanced its visual soul.
Elder Eddie Gardner: Closing in a Good Way
It was only fitting to close the night with Elder Eddie Gardner, who joined us in-person and with song.
Eddie has been a guest on the show, a cultural mentor, and a guiding voice in my own journey to reconnect with identity, purpose, and culture. He shared reflections on courage—on what it means to step outside of your comfort zone and do something for your people. He reminded us that every story shared on this podcast is a thread in a larger cultural and spiritual tapestry.
And then, he sang the eagle song—a gift, a prayer, and a symbol of everything we aspire toward. Perspective. Clarity. Connection.
What’s Next
Nuanced is a commitment—to mature conversations, uncomfortable truths, and hopeful dialogue.
We’ll continue to sit down with public figures, thinkers, leaders, and everyday changemakers. But we’ll also dig into issues that matter: reconciliation, housing, censorship, climate, crime, foreign policy, Indigenous identity, and more.
If you're tired of hot takes and surface-level discourse, this space is for you.
Let’s ask better questions, together.