Thoughtful, folksy, insightful and direct conversations about life, politics, leadership and community. Paul MacNeill is an award winning journalist, CBC Radio and Television political analyst, community builder and a passionate advocate for vibrant rural communities. He lives in Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island.
Because Life Is Local™, The Business of Community, Episode 4
Host Dave McGuire shares his vision for building community through Bogside Brewing, discussing brewing and growth strategies in this interview.
4 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers & MacNeill, Because Life Is Local™, Episode 15
Steven Myers and Paul MacNeill dissect PEI's political landscape, exploring Liberal leadership hopes, Premier Lantz's cabinet changes, and the Green Party's strategic moves in this insightful interview.
29 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Because Life Is Local™, The Business of Community, Episode 3
Host [Host Name] interviews Michael MacPherson, CEO and founder of Downeast Auto, about building a successful $175 million buying group and fostering community support.
13 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Because Life Is Local@, The Business of Community
Host Paul MacNeill interviews Three Rivers Mayor Debbie Johnston about post-amalgamation progress and the impact of social media on local governance.
16 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Because Life Is Local, Myers and MacNeill, Episode 13
Political commentators Stephen Myers and Paul MacNeill analyze the District 16 byelection and its implications for the Green Party.
1 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life Is Local™, Episode 12
Former Premier Robert Ghiz joins hosts Steven Myers and Paul MacNeill to explore the hidden narratives within Prince Edward Island politics.
24 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life is Local™, Episode 11
Political analysts Steven Myers and Paul MacNeill dissect the pivotal District 16 by-election, revealing its potential to reshape Island history.
5 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Because Life Is Local™, The Business of Our Community, Episode 1
Host [Host Name] interviews Jason Aspin, CEO of AKA Energy Systems, about building a global energy company in his home province of PEI.
26 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life Is Local™, Episode 9
Political analysts Myers and MacNeill offer PEI's most insightful political conversation in this episode of Because Life Is Local™.
19 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life Is Local, Episode 8
Host David Myers and guest Alan MacNeill explore PEI's political landscape, offering insightful commentary on local issues.
11 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers & MacNeill, Because Life Is Local™, Episode 7
PEI's most lively political discussion.
4 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life Is Local, Episode 6
Steven Myers and MacNeill discuss PEI's political landscape, regional cooperation, and government decisions in this interview episode.
13 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Myers and MacNeill, Episode 3. Because Life Is Local
Steven Myers and Paul MacNeill dig deep into Prince Edward Island politics. This edition we talk health care and if there is ever a right time for political meddling and what to expect in the provincial budget. We'll discuss Finance Minister Jill Burridge now walking back Rob Lantz's promise of a Sunshine List, and if the premier has a growing issue of believability. Plus we're adding a new feature...Star of the Week.
2 Apr 2026
Myers and MacNeill, Because Life Is Local, Episode 2
Publisher Paul MacNeill and former PEI cabinet minister Steven Myers discuss the latest political crisis to engulf the PC government. Gilles Arsenault was removed from cabinet and the PC caucus after public details of a $100,000 donation to a community organization in his riding.
20 Dec 2020
Fancy That! Denis Ryan looks back on 50 years and the legacy of legendary Celtic band Ryan’s Fancy
Ryan’s Fancy last performed almost 40 years ago, but even today the band is revered in small towns across Atlantic Canada as the one that made east coast music cool. Dermot O’Reilly, Fergus O’Byrne and Denis Ryan found a large and loyal following by merging the songs of their youth with Canadian tunes discovered at kitchen parties and iconic bars like The Strand Lounge in St. John’s and Johnny Reid’s in Charlottetown.
Ryan’s Fancy celebrated Atlantic Canadian culture in a way never before seen. ‘The boys’ performed for Prime Ministers, a President and the Queen but more importantly in communities like Creignish, Montague and Old Perlican.
Today Denis Ryan looks back on 50 years of rambling. He’s been a civil servant, investment advisor, entrepreneur and youtube sensation. And today he joins Because Life Is Local™ to discuss Ryan’s Fancy’s legacy and what he’s learned along the way.
20 Aug 2020
Robert L. Cotton, PEI’s most generous benefactor
Fred Hyndman may be the last person who can speak directly to the generosity and spirit of his uncle, Robert L. Cotton. When Bobby Cotton died more than 50 years ago he bequeathed to future generations the modern day equivalent of $13 million, which annually supports projects, scholarships and good ideas in every corner of PEI. There should be a statue to Robert L. Cotton, such is his impact.
18 Jun 2020
Doug Griffiths, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.
Rural communities are often blind to realities holding them back. This was the catalyst for Doug Griffiths groundbreaking book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, now seen as mandatory reading by rural leaders and local activists across North America. Griffiths is the only speaker to participate in both The Georgetown Conference and The Georgetown Conference 2.0 for good reason. He knows what makes rural communities tick, he knows how to fix it and he has a rare ability to connect and communicate in town halls and Main Streets everywhere. His positive impact is felt in communities in all four Atlantic Provinces. Griffiths talks why communities struggle or fail and what they can do about it, how to be a truly welcoming community (especially important given global events) and the huge opportunity awaiting rural communities that embrace change.
9 May 2020
Remembering Lionel King
This is one of my favourite snippets from my interview with Premier Dennis King as he recalls an emotional visit to his father's grave on Election Day 2019. The full version of Because Life Is Local™ can be found at peicanada.com or your favourite podcast platform.
29 Apr 2020
PEI Premier Dennis King talks leadership, COVID and doing politics differently
Dennis King went from journalist and comedic storyteller to leader of the Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party. In May 2019 he was elected Premier of PEI’s first ever minority government on a platform that promised to throw aside partisan politics, a hallmark of the Island’s political culture. It’s been steep learning curve and an eventful year which includes responding to a tropical storm, and COVID-19. In this candid interview, the Premier talks about his fears and successes and why Canada’s smallest province was ready to break the political mold.
Inside a recent episode
Because Life Is Local™, The Business of Community, Episode 4
Published 9 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So it's a non-alcoholic, uh, that, uh, we made from apples from that farm. And so it's a nice, it's a family-friendly beverage that doesn't require any regulatory environment with respect to sales. There you go. There you go. When you look around Three Rivers, Dave, or anyway, I mean, because now you're in two significant communities outside of the Charlottetown area, Summerside and Three Rivers, sort of the anchor in two counties. Are there similarities between the markets or are they different? Both. They're certainly different, but a lot of similarities. It just clicked for me. I think Summerside, like Three Rivers, a ton of potential. […]
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