Dustin Horlacher: Carson and Friends

Dustin Horlacher: Carson and Friends

Author: Chris Glass May 30, 2026 Duration: 26:25
In this episode of Airdrie Inside, Chris Glass sits down with Dustin Horlacher, founder of Carson and Friends. Five years ago, Dustin’s son Carson sent out birthday invitations and received zero RSVPs. What started as a frustrated post on "Airdrie Dads" transformed within hours into a community-wide movement. Today, Carson and Friends is moving the needle for Autism Calgary, hosting over 700 people and aiming for a Guinness World Record—all while providing a safe, "black and white" truth for ...

There's a particular energy in a community like Airdrie, a blend of ambition, creativity, and neighborly spirit that often goes unnoticed beyond the city limits. Airdrie Inside is about changing that, one conversation at a time. Hosted by Chris Glass, whose perspective is shaped by years of living and breathing life here, this podcast ventures into the studios, workshops, offices, and community spaces where local stories are made. Each episode is a quiet sit-down with the people who are building, creating, and shaping the fabric of the city. You'll hear from entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of small business, artists explaining the inspiration behind their latest work, and dedicated volunteers whose efforts keep local culture vibrant. The focus is always on the genuine voices and personal journeys, not just the public achievements. It’s a series dedicated to the nuance of local life, offering a deeper appreciation for the hardworking heroes who might be your neighbor or the owner of your favorite shop. By tuning into this podcast, you get an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the drive and passion that fuels Airdrie’s unique character, all through thoughtful, engaging conversations that feel like a chat with an old friend.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 67

Airdrie Inside
Podcast Episodes
Tong Wang: Windwood Music Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:45
She has performed at the Lincoln Center and toured the world, but Tong Wang’s most important stage is a cul-de-sac in Airdrie. As a concert pianist, educator, and co-founder of the Windwood Music Festival, Tong is on a m…
Mo Shaukat: Boots on the Ground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:09
"We are training people to survive the job physically, but we aren't training them to survive it mentally." Mo Shaukat has seen the worst of humanity as a hostage negotiator and correctional officer at the Edmonton Insti…
Mandi Fusaro: Building Airdrie's Soul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
The "Champion of the Arts" award isn't for the person who writes the biggest cheque. It's for the person who gives the most of themselves. For Mandi Fusaro—actor, director, playwright, and teacher—that has meant spending…
Kristen Shima: City Builder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:08
Most politicians learn how cities work after they're elected. Kristen Shima spent a decade building them from the inside. With a Master's degree in sustainable community development and a resume that includes securing ov…
David Barchard: Micro Acres [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:32
Most people think farming requires hundreds of acres and massive tractors. David Barchard proves you can feed a community with just a few hundred square feet and a lot of heart. After 15 years in the restaurant industry…
Corbie Dorner: Airdrie's Piano Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:50
Most musicians think they have to choose: the stability of a "real job" or the freedom of the stage. Corbie Dorner chose both. As a beloved band teacher at Bert Church High School and a dueling pianist at Aussie Rules, C…
Chad Stewart: City Councillor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
Most politicians follow a standard path: Law school, business, public office. Chad Stewart took the scenic route. From a 26-year career on a manufacturing floor to becoming a firefighter in his 30s, and now pitching horr…
Flaysher: One More Light [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:37
You can travel the world looking for your sound, but sometimes you have to come home to find it. Brad and Ryan Fleischer (Flaysher) grew up on 90s rock and construction sites. They went to Toronto to chase the music drea…
Jeremy Pollock: Dreadnaught Films [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:34
Jeremy had friends winning Oscars for Lord of the Rings... and they were miserable. They were just one of a thousand people who "worked on Legolas's cape." That realization sent filmmaker Jeremy Pollock on a different pa…
Heather Spearman: Airdrie's New Mayor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
Season 2 of Airdrie Inside kicks off with a bang ad we sit down with a true powerhouse: Airdrie's new Mayor, Heather Spearman. In this exclusive conversation, Chris dives into the questions many of us have been asking si…