Lloydminster podcaster Shaun Newman helped raise more than $300,000 for the Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation. (Facebook/The Shaun Newman Podcast)

By Josh Ryan

Hobby to Philanthropy

Lloydminster podcaster helps raise funds for hospital

Dec 18, 2020 | 2:27 PM

What began as one man’s hobby has now resulted in more than $350,000 in funds for the Lloydminster Reiongal Health Foundation

Local podcaster Shaun Newman participated in the LRHF’s second annual Christmas Digital Live Stream on Tuesday, helping to raise more than $300,000 this year. The money will go to both the Lloydminster Hospital and continuing care facilities, helping the elderly during these current times of isolation.

(Facebook/The Shaun Newman Podcast)

For Newman, the event was 12-hour live stream on YouTube and Facebook, with roughly 70 interviews, including 28 pre-recorded interviews and friend and fellow podcaster (as well as runner and DJ) Mikey Dubz providing updates running on a treadmill during the livestream.

Newman said after raising more than $50,000 last year, they were shooting for $200,000 in 2020. With several hours remaining, they upped the goal to $300,000, reaching the new total shortly before the event ended and receiving another donation afterward.

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

8h ago

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

“The excitement didn’t end from 7 a.m. in the morning, it went all the way past 7 p.m.,” Newman said. “Paul Zordrager from Husky Energy called in and donated $50,000. It was surreal, we had a crazy amount of support.”

After going from looking into donating an iPad a year ago to helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, Newman said he still hasn’t fully processed the day, which had some notable callers.

“Premier Scott Moe was a call in, [author/speaker] Dr. Jody Carrington called in, Wade Redden was another one,” Newman said. “It was a surreal day.”

After starting his podcast as a hobby a few years ago, where he primarily hosted interviews with local athletes, Newman’s appeal has expanded, garnering such guests as Ron Maclean, Jim Pattison and Theoren Fleury. Despite his success, he said it’s people from the Border City to thank for the amount raised during the radiothon.

“It’s the community that rallied around this 12-hour me-talking-to-people idea that blew it out of the water,” he said. “People are looking for things to do and we gave them an option and had fun with it.”

“I can’t speak highly enough about the community and how much they [supported] us.”

Moving into 2021, Newman hopes to keep this momentum going, as he is lining up a very special guest this month that many Canadians might recognize.

“If all things go right, December 23 will be Mr. Don Cherry coming on,” Newman said.

“It’s just a lot of fun to do,” he said. “I have a blast.”

—

josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports