Nonpartisan Hacks

Behind-the-scenes look at how local government actually works AI summary

Joel Grenz and Sean Wood Visit website › Government · EN · 33 episodes · latest 2026-11-04

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What it is about

Hosted by two Parksville city councillors, Nonpartisan Hacks brings you behind the scenes of how government really works — without the spin, the shouting, or the partisanship. We dive into the practical, the absurd, and the oddly inspiring world of local government, while mixing in the occasional provincial and federal twist. Expect real talk about decision-making, budgets, bylaws, and political hot potatoes (with a helping of humour and honesty).

Publisher’s own description, taken unchanged from the podcast feed.
© 2025-2026 Nonpartisan Hacks

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Latest episodes

All Snapped Out: BC’s Back-to-Back Elections

2026-11-04 · 40 min · Episode 34

What happens when a snap provincial election lands in the middle of BC's local elections? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Parksville councillor Sean Wood and former councillor Joel Grenz sit down for their first…
Chair and Chief Councillor John Jack

2026-08-15 · 1 hr 6 min · Episode 32

Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with John Jack, known in his own language as Sayaač̓atḥ, who runs two governments at once: he's Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, a modern treaty nation on the west…
On the Rails with Thomas Bevan of Island Corridor Foundation

2026-08-03 · 37 min · Episode 31

What does it actually take to bring 289 kilometres of century-old railway back to life? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood take the show on the road — or rather, the rails — recording aboard…
Scared to Live, Not Scared to Die: Shayla Day on Addiction and Recovery

2026-07-25 · 35 min · Episode 30

Shayla Day was homeless from age 11 to 21, addicted to narcotics by 16, and overdosed 44 times. Today she's helping to lead a regional response to homelessness. In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean…
Decoding Your Property Tax Bill

2026-07-10 · 32 min · Episode 29

Your city council raised taxes 5.8% this year. So why did your bill go up 13%? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood pull apart the property tax bill that lands in every homeowner's mailbox each…
Municipal Courage with Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto

2026-06-13 · 51 min · Episode 28

What happens when the province doesn't move fast enough and people in your city can't wait? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Marianne Alto, Mayor of the City of Victoria,…
When Democracy Becomes Dangerous with Marianne Meed Ward

2026-05-29 · 31 min · Episode 27

What happens when serving your community means risking your personal safety? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, recorded live at the AVICC convention in Victoria, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Marianne Meed…
Bring the Bill: Rob Shaw on First Reading, DRIPA, and the Erosion of Debate

2026-05-01 · 31 min · Episode 26

What happens when a government starts blocking bills before anyone gets to read them? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome back BC political reporter Rob Shaw — host of Political…
So You’re Thinking of Voting in an Election

2026-04-11 · 33 min · Episode 25

Nobody teaches you how to vote well. Maybe they should. You already know how to mark an X on a ballot. But do you know what you're actually voting for? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood — two City of Parksville councillors —…
The Most Expensive Building Material with George Anderson

2026-03-22 · 49 min · Episode 24

In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville, former Nanaimo city councillor, commercial lawyer, and Parliamentary Secretary for Transit.…

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Publisher details

Owner: Nonpartisan Hacks
Oldest episode in feed: 05/2025 · over a year
Typical length: 44 min
Format: Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

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