In this episode, Shawna interviews Lorrie Rand, a certified passive house designer, Co-Founder and Director of Sustainability at Habitat Studio, and Co-Founder and Design Director at ReCover Initiative in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lorrie shares her extensive experience with sustainable retrofits and updates on the Habit Studio's passive house retrofit project.
They discuss the founding of the ReCover Initiative, which studies deep retrofits and has launched the multimillion-dollar Atlantic Canada Deep Retrofit Accelerator to address social, financial, and technical barriers. The conversation also touches on workforce development, challenges in implementing retrofits at scale, and initiatives for local economic development.
Are you interested in having a conversation with Shawna on This Must Be the Place? Reach out by email to Jessica, jessica@bluehouseenergy.com.
(C) 2025 This Must Be The Place. Creative ownership rights Blue House Energy.
In this episode, Shawna welcomes Peter Amerongen, the President of Retrofit Canada. They delve into Peter's extensive experience in retrofitting homes and his journey from building new, high-end houses to focusing on deep retrofits. The discussion spans various topics including the importance of retrofitting existing buildings to achieve net-zero emissions, the complexities of retrofitting compared to new construction, and case studies such as the Sundance co-op project.
Peter also shares insights on Retrofit Canada's mission, which includes collecting and sharing case studies to inform future retrofit projects, developing a comprehensive roadmap for retrofitting buildings, and the goal of making these practices mainstream in the industry. They also discuss upcoming projects, challenges in residential versus commercial retrofits, and the significance of properly planned and executed retrofits in improving building comfort and reducing emissions.
Are you interested in having a conversation with Shawna on This Must Be the Place? Reach out by email to Jessica, jessica@bluehouseenergy.com.
(C) 2025 This Must Be The Place. Creative ownership rights Blue House Energy.
In this episode, Shawna welcomes Trevor Trainor, President of Bawating Building Science, focusing on his work in Indigenous housing conditions in Northern Ontario and Arctic regions.They discuss the importance of adapting building practices to suit harsh climates, particularly emphasizing unvented roofs in Northern housing.
Trevor shares insights from his hygrothermic modeling studies and research, highlighting the necessity of proper ventilation, moisture control, and the use of exterior insulation in these environments. They also cover the challenges in the industry like the need for greater data sharing and the benefits of site-specific building solutions.
Are you interested in having a conversation with Shawna on This Must Be the Place? Reach out by email to Jessica, jessica@bluehouseenergy.com.
(C) 2025 This Must Be The Place. Creative ownership rights Blue House Energy.
Welcome to season four - woohoo!
After a long hiatus, we start off with a new-too-us format: a panel discussion. Episode one is a discussion about the role of Energy Advisors in Canada, co-hosted by Blue House Energy Program Coordinator, Carla Harder.
My guests include Cindy Gareau, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors, two master energy advisors, Toby Smith with Building Knowledge Canada and Amelie Caron with EcoSynergy.
Highlights:
Let's dive in!
Are you interested in having a conversation with Shawna on This Must Be the Place? Reach out by email to Jessica, jessica@bluehouseenergy.com.
(C) 2025 This Must Be The Place. Creative ownership rights Blue House Energy.
In this episode of This Must Be The Place Shawna is joined by Shay Bulmer, the founder and General Manager of Northern Homecraft Ltd., an award-winning, net-zero certified custom home company based in Vanderhoof British Columbia. Shay also serves as the current President of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) in Northern BC and is the presidential appointee at the CHBA BC level.
Highlights from this episode:
• Why Shay says that “energy performance is investment performance”.
• The importance of developing some sort of stimulus for smaller and rural markets to achieve higher performing homes.
• Why it’s worth the time to learn about the different types of comfort that high performance homes can provide.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
Innovator and disruptor Jodi Huettner joins Shawna for this episode of This Must be The Place. Jodi is the driving force behind creating and supplying Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, for women not only in the energy efficiency space but also for active and outdoor STEM positions. She is the President and CEO of Helga Wear Inc..
Highlights from this episode:
• PPE impacts many things for women, including mental health.
• The A-ha moment that Jodi experienced and why it was simultaneously “amazing and devastating”.
• Find out about the exciting new PPE products that Helga Wear is currently developing.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna chats with Chris MagWood, a crusader for reversing climate change and for the past 25 years he has dedicated his career to inspiring and assisting others to do the same. He currently holds two positions—Manager in the Carbon Free Buildings program at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and as Director at Builders for Climate Action, an organization which he helped to establish.
Highlights from this episode:
• Find out why Chris “got really obsessed with metrics”.
• Learn about the tool that Chris created that measures embodied carbon that you can download.
• Hear what Chris has to say about moving the needle to meet our embodied carbon benchmarks by 2030 and beyond.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
Shawna is joined by Lorrie Rand in this episode of This Must Be The Place.
Lorrie is the Sustainability Director at Habit Studio, a company she co-founded that specializes in sustainable renovations. Habit Studio is the leading authority on sustainable home design in Nova Scotia. Her company is also currently 8 women strong!
Tune in to find out:
• Why Lorrie decided to only work in Passive House.
• The huge retrofit project that she is documenting for a Youtube series!
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna chats with Kendall Ansell-sometimes referred to as a “Fairy Design Mother” and a “gender-smashing business owner”. Kendall is the owner of Belle Construction and Kendall Ansell Interiors located in Vancouver, BC.
In this episode:
• Find out the popular Google search term related to the construction industry that has changed in recent years.
• Learn what tired, gender-biased question Kendall received from a student in a recent lecture she taught and her response to it.
• How Belle Construction is pioneering the way for more women to work in the trades.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode Shawna introduces the final theme of season 3—how do we inspire and disrupt the industry moving forward to meet our energy efficiency targets? Her guest Jesse Hitchcock, is a senior research analyst working in energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. She is dedicated to building a decarbonized future—one where communities are sustainable and supportive for all. She is recognized for her community leadership and has served on Canada’s preeminent leadership forums and has been featured in such publications as the Huffington Post, CBC Power and Politics and others.
In this episode:
• Why we need to break down silos to develop better climate change solutions.
• How lived experience and diversity is an essential lens to apply at the policy table.
• Why we have a broken ecosystem in energy retrofits and what we can do about it.
• Why Jesse has a different definition of “scale”.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna is joined by fellow educator—Yasmin Abraham. A multi-award winner and recognized nationally and internationally for her work, she is the vision behind Empower Me -Canada’s only energy efficiency, education and behaviour change program designed specifically for underrepresented communities.
In this episode:
• Why language is important and helps to build trust.
• Why a social enterprise business model can have a big impact.
• Learn why Yasmin says, “Too often perspectives are not included in decisions and not included in policies."
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna covers a lot of important ground with guest Kirk Johnson. He has worked passionately over the past two decades in reimagining a Canada powered by low-carbon, net-zero, sustainable energy. He has spent his career designing transformative sustainable energy programs and has taught as a professor at Humber College.
Highlights from this episode:
• Find out about what he refers to as “perverse incentives”.
• For a long time he was the only person of colour in the room-why he says we need to “stand up for people that are not in the room”.
• He explains why “reinvention of the wheel” is one of the biggest industry myths.
Current Position:
President, Eco-Efficiency Consulting
For more background info:
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna is joined by Chelsah Thomas, the founder and owner of Sol Invictus, energy consulting for builders and homeowners specializing in high performance, net zero and passive house. Her home is central Alberta’s first Net Zero, Passive Solar Home. In 2020 she won “Business of the Year” for Young Entrepreneur.
In this episode:
• Chelsah discusses her social enterprise model vs a traditional business model.
• She explains why her own house is “a financially viable demo site for the community”.
• She shares the simple thing she recommends all builders and homeowners do in the early planning stages of projects.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna chats with Ian Scholten, Program Director at Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise, or ICE. He is leading Bringing It Home, a major initiative which is responsible for driving community-scale energy efficiency projects.
Tune in to find out:
• Which of Shawna’s past guests “lit the fire in him” to get into energy efficiency.
• Why we need to empower communities to lead, not just receive.
• Learn the most important thing he’s learned from connecting with Indigenous leaders across Canada.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
Shawna chats with Nate Adams in this week’s episode of This Must be The Place. When it comes to making your home more comfortable and efficient-Nate Adams is your house guru. Author, speaker, subject matter expert and content creator.
In this episode find out:
• Why he says building scientists are fundamentally “magicians”.
• The reason we need a “sales mindset” in energy efficiency.
• Why he’s known as the ‘House Whisperer’.
Recommended Book: Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore
https://www.natethehousewhisperer.com/blog
Avoid a 15-20 year HVAC mistake, read HVAC 101
Join the HVAC 2.0 Advanced Discussion Facebook Group
Electrifyeverything.net - take the free course to learn how to electrify your home!
Energysmartohio.com - project case studies
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
Andy Cockburn joins Shawna for a deep dive into theme 2 of Season 3:
We’re kinda stuck.
What do we need to do to get out of our own way?
Tune in to find out why:
• We need to back off bespoke buildings.
• Andy says, “There has to be some room within reason to allow for mistakes to happen.”
• Communication is key.
Andy is the Director of Education and Training at NAIMA ( the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association) https://www.naimacanada.ca/. A red seal general carpenter by trade; he is a certified passive house consultant; his career experience includes custom housing, restoration, design, traditional timber framing, and stairs; he also teaches at Algonquin college.
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must be The Place, Shawna chats with the inimitable Ross Elliot. Known as “Mr. Energy”, he is an award-winning and sought-after energy design consultant for contractors and homeowners (even in retirement!). In 2014 he received the EnerQuality Hall of Fame award for lifetime achievement in making a lasting impact on energy efficiency and green building.
In this episode:
• Why building better is actually cheaper.
• What he learned while building his own LEED Gold, R-2000, Net-Zero Ready homestead that uses 73% less energy.
• The common myth about houses and efficiency that still baffles him.
(Ross is now retired and has since sold his business.)
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must be The Place, Shawna’s guest is Vancouver-based architect, Richard Kadulski. Most recently he was inducted into the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders’ Association “Hall of Fame”. And in 2020, he was awarded the“Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Canadian Home Builder’s Association.
In this episode:
• Find out why Shawna refers to Richard as “The absolute rock star of the industry.”
• Why his archived newsletter, Solplan Review that he published for 30 years is still filled with building science information gold.
• Richard explains the biggest challenges in the industry right now and what to do about them.
archive.org/details/solplan-review
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna is joined by industry trailblazer and natural born teacher Gail Lawlor. She has worked in a variety of capacities the past four decades—including as an air sealing contractor, auditor, retailer, researcher, consultant and of course—trainer.
Tune in to find out:
• How a computer glitch set her on the energy efficiency career path.
• Why she has a retirement business card and why her byline states, “Connector of Dots.”.
• About her important clean energy work with First Nations and why she believes this will lead the way for future generations.
Indigenous Clean Energy
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"
In this episode of This Must Be the Place, Shawna’s guest is award-winning building science researcher Don Fugler. He spent 25 years leading research projects for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in the areas of residential energy use, ventilation, and indoor air quality. His findings are some of the most important in building science research in the world.
Tune in to find out:
• The simple and economical technique that filters air in a room.
• About the important work he is still doing (in retirement) involving indoor air quality monitoring in Pittsburgh houses.
• Why one of the biggest building science myths he mentions involves foil bubble wrap!
Senior Researcher (Retired), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
ROCIS-Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces
Host/Producer - Shawna Henderson shawna@bluehouseenergy.com
Producer - Tanya Chedrawy tanya@tanyamedia.com
Technical Producer - Michael Boyd michaelboyd@podcastatlantic.com
Social Media – Anita Kirkbride www.twirp.ca
A Production of: Blue House Energy bluehouseenergy.com/
Tanya Media tanyamedia.com
Podcast Atlantic podcastatlantic.com/
Blue House Energy’s Website by R & G - The Sustainability Agency https://www.rgstrategic.com/
Music from Arches Audio - https://archesaudio.com/ Title of Song - "Road Trip"