The Okotoks Podcast

What happens when healthcare becomes personal and local? That’s exactly what Episode 3 of the Okotoks Podcast, hosted by Carlin Lutzer, explores with the inspiring Andrea Mitchell, Executive Director of the Sheep River Health Trust (SRHT). As Okotoks continues to earn national recognition — recently winning “Best Event for a City or Municipality” for Light Up Okotoks — it’s clear this town’s heart beats through its people and organizations. Andrea and her team at SRHT are proof of that.

Founded in 1994, SRHT started humbly with a group of passionate volunteers aiming to support the Oilfields General Hospital. Today, it has grown into a dynamic nonprofit that supports urgent care, long-term care, seniors programs, and wellness initiatives across Okotoks and surrounding communities like Diamond Valley, Millarville, and Longview. As Andrea emphasizes, healthcare doesn’t begin at the hospital doors. It starts in the community — whether that’s helping a senior get to their appointment or making sure a child has access to mental health programs.

The podcast dives deep into the scope of SRHT’s work. Their five pillars — medical equipment, community care programs, families, seniors, and children & youth — ensure that no demographic is left behind. Whether it’s funding portable ultrasounds to keep expectant mothers local or supporting Rising Sun Long-Term Care with secure wander guards and a beloved seniors “Fun Bus,” the Trust makes a profound impact every day.

Of course, none of this is possible without community support. Fundraisers like the Radiothon (June 19th, 2025), which aims to surpass last year’s $75,000 milestone, and the wildly popular Photos with Santa, which brings in around $35,000–$40,000 annually, are essential. These events, alongside initiatives like Avenue of Trees, make giving back fun and engaging for everyone in the Foothills.

Andrea also highlights the often overlooked heroes of healthcare: volunteers and donors. Whether it’s helping at events, contributing financially, or providing in-kind services, the Okotoks community continually steps up. Andrea herself is deeply rooted in this mission, not just professionally but personally, having grown up in a family where giving back was second nature.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healthcare is about more than medicine — it’s about connection, compassion, and community. From reducing trips to Calgary for urgent needs to making long-term care feel like home, Sheep River Health Trust and its supporters are creating a model of care that is truly local and truly meaningful.

To learn more, get involved, or donate, visit sheepriverhealthtrust.ca. Whether you have time, money, or simply care about your neighbours, there’s a place for you in this community-driven movement.

The Okotoks Podcast

Tyler Hollick – Life as a Top Dawg in Okotoks

How Do You Build a Championship Team and a Championship Town? In episode 2 of the Okotoks Podcast, host Carlin Lutzer welcomes a guest who has not only worn the Dawgs jersey but has helped stitch its legacy into the fabric of the community — General Manager Tyler Hollick. A 19-year veteran of the Okotoks Dawgs organization, Tyler shares his remarkable journey from wide-eyed 14-year-old prospect to national player of the year and professional scout for the Milwaukee Brewers. His story is one of grit, gratitude, and giving back.

The conversation goes far beyond baseball stats and championship banners. Tyler opens up about the deep relationships built within the Dawgs organization — with teammates, coaches, fans, and community members alike. He reflects on meeting his wife through the program, raising his family in Okotoks, and watching generations of young fans become lifelong supporters. “It’s about more than wins,” he says. “It’s about the memories people carry with them long after the final pitch.”

Carlin and Tyler dive into the magic of game nights at Seaman Stadium, affectionately dubbed a “symphony” of sights, sounds, and experiences — from kids playing on the berm to the unmistakable voice of Kevin the beer hawker. It’s a sensory blend of nostalgia and newness that makes a Dawgs game feel like a summer ritual.

But the Dawgs aren’t resting on their laurels. Tyler explains the constant push for improvement: from new LED ribbon boards and party patios to a state-of-the-art training expansion funded by million-dollar donations. “There’s no room to stagnate here,” he says. “Every year, we ask ourselves how we can get better — for the players, for the fans, and for Okotoks.”

Tyler also shines a spotlight on the lesser-known side of the Dawgs — their elite youth academy, which runs alongside the summer college team. With eight youth teams and five professional scouts on staff, including Tyler himself, the Dawgs are developing some of Canada’s top baseball talent. For many, the Dawgs experience is the pinnacle of their playing career — and the most fans they’ll ever play in front of.

The episode ends on a heartfelt note, with Tyler recalling one of his proudest moments: a local academy graduate hitting a walk-off to clinch the Dawgs’ third consecutive championship. “I don’t know if it’ll ever get better than that,” he says, his voice full of gratitude.

If you’ve ever doubted the power of sports to bring people together, this episode will change your mind. It’s not just about baseball in Okotoks — it’s about belonging. And thanks to Tyler Hollick and the Dawgs, that feeling is stronger than ever.

🎧 Catch the full episode now and don’t forget — the Dawgs’ 2025 season opens May 31 at home against the Energy City Cactus Rats. See you at Seaman Stadium! The Okotoks Podcast

Balancing Change and Community with Mayor Tanya Thorn

Is small-town charm slipping away as Okotoks grows? That’s one of the big questions tackled

in Episode 1 of The Okotoks Podcast, hosted by Carlin Lutzer. And who better to kick things off

than Mayor Tanya Thorn? In this honest, wide-ranging conversation, Mayor Thorn shares her

personal path to public service, the evolving identity of Okotoks, and the practical realities of

running a growing town—all while holding onto what makes it special.

Mayor Thorn’s political journey started around the dinner table, where politics were never off-

limits. Though she once envisioned herself working federally in Ottawa, life—and

wisdom—steered her toward municipal politics, where she could make meaningful, daily impact

close to home. And that’s what she’s done since being elected to town council in 2013 and

becoming mayor in 2021.

A major theme of this episode is growth. Okotoks isn’t growing as quickly as other towns like

Cochrane or Airdrie, and Tanya explains why: water access. She dives deep into the town’s water

allocation policy and the game-changing Bow River pipeline set to flow in 2026. But this new

infrastructure doesn’t mean endless green lawns—Mayor Thorn reminds us that conservation is

part of the town’s DNA.

The conversation shifts to community connection—how do we keep the “Okotoks feel” as new

residents pour in? For Mayor Thorn, small-town living isn’t about population size; it’s about how

we treat each other. Waving at neighbours, shopping local, and volunteering are what keep the

charm alive. “Government can’t create small-town feel,” she says. “But we can—together.”

Garbage collection gets its time in the spotlight too. The switch to bi-weekly black bin pickup

has some residents riled up, but Mayor Thorn encourages patience. An audit revealed 60% of

black bin contents are organics—items that could (and should) be composted. The change isn’t

just about cost, it’s about sustainability and longevity.

Carlin and Tanya also touch on public engagement—or the lack of it. She stresses that key

decisions like the town’s Municipal Development Plan aren’t made overnight. “Sometimes

people miss the boat on input,” she says, “because they’re not engaged when it matters.” And

while social media gives people a platform, real dialogue happens face-to-face—or podcast-to-

podcast.

To close, Tanya issues a challenge to every resident: Take ownership of your community.

Whether it’s saying hi to a new neighbour, volunteering at a local event, or just painting your

fence—you help shape the spirit of Okotoks.

Episode 1 of The Okotoks Podcast is a blueprint for how we talk about growth, leadership, and

community—with heart, humour, and hope. Listen in, and be part of building the Okotoks you

want to live in.

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