Season one comes to a close. Thirty episodes in, and roughly 44 percent of podcasts never make it past three, so Ben and Richard take a minute to sit with that.

No guest this time. Just the two of them looking back at the year: what they took from every person who sat down with them, why this town keeps surprising them, and how a show they figured might reach ten episodes turned into a weekly habit they both look forward to.

Along the way, Richard's wife Emily joining his mortgage business, the case for getting people on record while you still can, a couple of business ideas that got away from them, Ben's pitch for why YouTube is a sleeping giant, and the $1,000 this show helped raise for Campfire Circle.

There is some talk of death. There is some talk of hockey. There is a 100 mile race Ben finally says out loud.

Season two starts in September. Send us the names of people who should be on it.

FROZEN TIX: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/midlandculturalcentre/2232657

Ben's Pain For A Good Cause:

https://support.campfirecircle.org/diy/bens-pain-for-a-good-cause

This week on The Open House Podcast, we're joined by the incredible Lori-Ann "Clants" Clancy, founder of the Georgian Bay Musical Theatre Company and a beloved educator who spent decades inspiring students across our community. From growing up in Oshawa and finding her way to Midland through a chance encounter at a teacher recruitment fair, to building one of the region's most successful community theatre organizations, Lori-Ann's story is full of passion, perseverance, and purpose.

We talk about her teaching career, coaching basketball, the power of making young people feel seen and heard, and how a simple conversation inside the Midland Cultural Centre eventually led to the creation of GBMTC. Lori-Ann also shares behind-the-scenes stories from launching the company, surviving the challenges of community theatre, and bringing productions like Frozen to life.

Along the way, we dive into favourite musicals, the magic of live performance, small-town community building, and why the relationships you create often matter more than the show itself.

Whether you're a theatre lover, educator, parent, volunteer, or someone looking for a reminder of what happens when passionate people invest in their community, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Link the Ben's Fundraiser:
https://support.campfirecircle.org/diy/bens-pain-for-a-good-cause

This week on The Open House Podcast, we sit down with Hope Adams, founder of We Are Resilient, registered social service worker, performer, and passionate mental health advocate.

Hope shares her deeply personal journey through anxiety, depression, grief, hospitalization, and the challenges of navigating mental health as a teenager. From losing a close friend to suicide, to finding purpose through theatre, counselling, and community, Hope opens up about the experiences that shaped her path and inspired her mission to make mental health support more accessible.

We also discuss coping mechanisms, social anxiety, self compassion, therapy, resilience, substance use, the realities of growing up in today's social media world, and why community is often one of the most powerful tools for healing.

This is an honest, vulnerable conversation about what it means to struggle, recover, and keep moving forward.

If you've ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or wondered whether things can get better, this episode is for you.

The Open House Podcast is hosted by Ben Robitaille and Richard Thompson and features conversations with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and fascinating people from across Simcoe County and beyond.