Discover Canada in Style: Travel Stories & Hidden Gems

Origins of a Hoops Legend – James Naismith and the Birth of BasketballChaptersChildhood in Ontario [00:00:00]Duck on a Rock: The Game That Shaped Basketball [00:00:25]From Canada to Springfield: A Teacher in Trouble [00:01:00]Inventing a New Game [00:01:35]The First Basketball Game: Chaos and Laughter [00:02:10]Writing the Rules and Spreading the Word [00:02:50]The Humble Legacy of James Naismith [00:03:25]The Spark That Changed Sports Forever [00:04:00]Childhood in Ontario [00:00:00]The story begins in the chilly outdoors of Ontario, where a young James Naismith, wrapped in wool against the cold, finds creative ways to play and stay warm before supper. Instead of organized sport, it is the simple, rugged fun of tossing rocks at a boulder with friends. The early scene is one of innovation born from necessity, showing a boy using what he has in his environment for entertainment—and unknowingly laying a foundation that would transform sports history.Duck on a Rock: The Game That Shaped Basketball [00:00:25]A favorite childhood pastime, "Duck on a Rock," did more for Naismith than pass the time. The game required precision and finesse to knock a stone off a larger rock using the correct arc, teaching lessons about physics and accuracy, not brute strength. These lessons—specifically, the importance of a perfect arc—would later become essential in the evolution of basketball, influencing how the game would ultimately be played.From Canada to Springfield: A Teacher in Trouble [00:01:00]Fast forward twenty years: Naismith is now a physical education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts. It's winter, and his students, cooped up and restless, are driving him to desperation. Failed attempts to entertain them safely indoors with soccer, baseball, and football leave him seeking a miracle solution. This chapter highlights the pressure and creativity required when innovation is born from necessity—a pivotal struggle leading to one of sport’s most influential inventions.Inventing a New Game [00:01:35]A breakthrough moment arrives as memories of his childhood game inspire the framework for basketball. This chapter details how Naismith sketches his idea, emphasizing a ball and a raised goal—solutions that prioritize skill and safety. After a quick intervention from the school janitor, two peach baskets serve as the first basketball goals. Naismith's focus on a fast-paced yet safe and smart game lays the groundwork for a new way to play.The First Basketball Game: Chaos and Laughter [00:02:10]The debut of basketball is nothing short of chaotic. Students are unclear on the rules, there's rambunctious shoving and laughter, and each successful shot requires the janitor to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball—a nod to the humble and unpolished beginnings of the sport. Yet, it is this very chaos—this real-world experimentation—that cements the initial appeal and flexibility of the game, allowing room for it to evolve rapidly.Writing the Rules and Spreading the Word [00:02:50]To bring coherence to the new game, Naismith pens the first 13 rules of basketball. These rules are simple and remarkably polite—no tackling, no running with the ball, structured halves—helping the game spread quickly from the original class to other YMCAs and, soon, the world. The speed at which basketball catches fire is a testament to the need the game met among both students and communities hungry for safe, exciting competition indoors.The Humble Legacy of James Naismith [00:03:25]Naismith remains deeply humble, never patenting the game or seeking to profit from its wild popularity. He eventually becomes the first basketball coach at the University of Kansas, yet cares little for his win-loss record, focusing instead on participation and the spirit of the game. Basketball, to Naismith, is a gift for everyone—a reflection of his quiet pride and values.The Spark That Changed Sports Forever [00:04:00]The final chapter brings the story full circle, reflecting on how a simple pastime with rocks became a global phenomenon played in billion-dollar arenas. It’s a reminder of the happy accidents and everyday imagination that spark history-changing inventions. The episode closes with encouragement to remember those early days each time we watch a three-pointer soar—because true greatness often starts somewhere small and unexpected.Enjoyed this story? For more deep dives into the hidden histories behind our favorite pastimes and rituals, check out Discover Canada in Style. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discovercanadainstyle.com

Canada on a Plate: Chinese Cuisine in CanadaA coast-to-coast story of steam, spice, and belongingWhen the first woks hit hot stoves in Canada more than a century ago, they did more than feed hungry railway workers — they sparked a culinary transformation. From those early Chinatowns in Victoria and Vancouver to the modern dining rooms of Toronto and Montreal, Chinese food has evolved from necessity to national comfort.Today, it’s hard to imagine Canada’s food scene without the glossy allure of ginger beef, the crackle of chilli chicken, or the warm sweetness of Hong Kong egg tarts cooling on a rack. Each dish carries a story of adaptation and creativity — proof that the language of flavour is universal.This week’s episode of Canada on a Plate explores how Chinese cuisine has become part of Canadian identity. You’ll hear stories from seven restaurants that shaped communities coast to coast and discover a few recipes that bring that same warmth home.🎧 Listen here: Canada on a Plate: Chinese Cuisine in CanadaKey Points* 🏮 A journey through seven kitchens across Canada, from Vancouver’s fine dining to Halifax’s nostalgic cafés.* 🍜 Cultural connection through food: how Chinese immigrants turned scarcity into creativity.* 🍛 Four DIY recipes you can try at home — blending Canadian comfort with Chinese tradition.* 🥢 Enduring legacy: from railway camps to Michelin stars, Chinese cuisine remains one of Canada’s greatest success stories.A Taste of the Journey: Bao Bei, VancouverIn Vancouver’s Chinatown, Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie feels like a bridge between generations. The name means “precious,” and the restaurant lives up to it — intimate, modern, softly lit, yet anchored in memory.Chef Joanne Chang takes inspiration from her family’s recipes and Chinatown’s timeless spirit. Her menu reads like a love letter to Chinese home cooking, rewritten for the modern palate.The Shaoxing wine–braised pork belly melts on the tongue, glossy with soy and ginger. The crispy pot stickers arrive with a satisfying sear. At the same time, the fried rice with Chinese sausage carries the same comforting aroma that fills so many family kitchens on a Sunday afternoon.It’s food that feels familiar even if it’s your first visit — warm, elegant, and filled with stories.👉 For more featured restaurants — from Montreal’s Le Piment Rouge to Halifax’s Look Ho Ho — visit the full post at discovercanadainstyle.com/p/chinese-cuisine-in-canada.Try It at Home: General Tso’s ChickenNo one can say for sure if General Tso himself ever tasted the dish that carries his name, but in Canada, it’s practically a national treasure. Sweet, spicy, and unapologetically glossy, it’s the kind of meal that turns a regular weeknight into a celebration.Ingredients* 1½ lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces* 1 egg* ½ cup cornstarch* ½ tsp salt* ½ tsp pepper* Vegetable oil for fryingSauce* 3 tbsp soy sauce* 2 tbsp rice vinegar* 3 tbsp brown sugar* 2 tbsp hoisin sauce* 1 tsp sesame oil* 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)* 2 cloves garlic, minced* 1 tbsp grated ginger* ½ tsp red chilli flakes (optional)Directions* In a bowl, whisk the egg, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss well. Dredge lightly in cornstarch.* Heat 1 inch of oil in a wok or deep pan. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.* In a clean wok, heat 1 tbsp oil and add garlic, ginger, and chilli flakes. Stir for 30 seconds.* Whisk together the sauce ingredients (except the slurry), then pour into the wok. Bring to a gentle simmer.* Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, then return chicken to the wok and toss until coated and glossy.* Sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped scallions. Serve with steamed rice — and, if possible, someone who appreciates second helpings.👉 For three more recipes — from Calgary ginger beef to Hong Kong egg tarts — visit the full post at discovercanadainstyle.com/p/chinese-cuisine-in-canada.Thanks for reading Discover Canada In Style! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discovercanadainstyle.com

🎙️ Podcast Episode: A Taste of Indigenous CanadaExploring the Flavors That Shaped a Nation 🌾From bannock cooked over campfires to fire-roasted bison and maple-glazed Arctic char, Indigenous food in Canada tells a story older than the country itself. In this episode, we journey coast to coast — from Salmon n’ Bannock in Vancouver to Feast Café Bistro in Winnipeg — to explore the chefs, recipes, and ingredients that define Canada’s original cuisine.Indigenous restaurants across the country are blending heritage and modern creativity, serving dishes that honour tradition while celebrating community. Bannock, bison, wild rice, and char are more than ingredients — they’re living links to culture and land.👉 Listen to the full episode as we uncover how food becomes memory, connection, and a way of keeping stories alive.What You’ll Hear in This Episode 🍽️* The remarkable rise of Indigenous-owned restaurants across Canada.* The meaning behind staples like bannock, bison stew, and wild rice pilaf.* Why cooking traditional recipes at home connects us to our history and sense of belonging.* How Indigenous chefs are redefining what “Canadian food” truly means.Ready to Taste Canada Differently? 🇨🇦Food is more than flavor — it’s identity. Join me as we delve into the stories and traditions behind Indigenous cuisine in Canada, one dish at a time.🎧 Listen now and read the full article with recipes and restaurant highlights →👉 A Taste of Indigenous CanadaThanks for reading Discover Canada In Style! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discovercanadainstyle.com

🎙️ Podcast Episode: The Halifax Explosion and Boston’s Gift of KindnessA Flash That Changed EverythingOn December 6, 1917, Halifax Harbour erupted in an explosion so powerful it levelled the city in seconds. More than 2,000 lives were lost, thousands were injured, and entire neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble.Yet from this devastation came extraordinary stories of courage and compassion — from Vince Coleman, the train dispatcher who typed his own goodbye to save hundreds, to “Ashpan Annie,” the toddler pulled alive from the ashes of her home.And from across the border, Boston rushed aid through a blizzard, sending doctors, nurses, and supplies. That act of kindness lit a bond between two cities — a bond still remembered each December when Nova Scotia sends Boston a Christmas tree.✨ In This Episode You’ll Hear:* The moment Halifax was shattered by the largest man-made blast before Hiroshima.* Stories of survival, resilience, and sacrifice that defined the city’s darkest day.* How Boston’s relief trains carried not just supplies but hope.* Why a Christmas tree still glows on Boston Common each December as a thank-you.💡 Final ThoughtThe Halifax Explosion is a story of loss, but also of lasting friendship. It shows us that in moments of disaster, borders fade, and compassion travels fast.👉 If this story moved you, make sure to subscribe to Discover Canada in Style so you never miss our next journey through Canada’s history, culture, and spirit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discovercanadainstyle.com

IntroductionIn 1845, two ships — HMS Erebus and HMS Terror — set sail with 128 men to chart the Northwest Passage. Most of us know the name Sir John Franklin, but behind him stood carpenters, cooks, marines, and young sailors whose lives were nearly erased by the ice. This podcast episode takes you into their world — not through official reports, but through graves, spoons, scraps of paper, and the voices of Inuit memory.Key Takeaways from the EpisodeBeechey Island GravesThree sailors — John Torrington, William Braine, and John Hartnell — were buried in the permafrost. Torrington’s body was so well preserved that his blue eyes were still visible a century later.The Boat of BonesOn King William Island, searchers discovered a lifeboat abandoned on the ice, containing skeletons and personal belongings, including a pocket watch, combs, and chocolate. It told of desperate men clinging to fragments of normal life.The Peglar PapersA lone skeleton, likely that of Harry Peglar, was discovered with papers written partly in reverse. Delirium, code, or last attempt at leaving a voice? We may never know.Inuit MemoriesFor generations, Inuit stories told of starving men dragging sleds, ships drifting in the ice, and makeshift camps. Those oral histories guided modern archaeologists to the wrecks of Erebus and Terror.ClosingThis is more than Franklin’s story. It is the story of ordinary men — their lives, their fragments, their silence in the snow.Listen to the full episode above, and let the Arctic’s whispers carry you back into one of history’s most haunting mysteries.Thanks for reading Discover Canada In Style! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discovercanadainstyle.com