From Podcast to Community Impact: Barn Burner’s Adopt-a-Family Partnership
When Barn Burner started in the fall of 2022, it was not about launching a perfect podcast. It was just three friends, Rhett, Ryan, and Dean, who had spent years waking up at 3:30 a.m. to host the Calgary Sportsnet 960 radio show, realizing that life with young kids and early mornings was getting harder. They wanted something that worked for them, on their own terms, but still let them talk about the thing they loved most: sports.
The idea of a podcast came to them almost by chance. They were approached to recreate the spirit of their radio show, but this time with complete flexibility. It felt like a long shot, and there were dead ends. But just in time for the 2022 hockey season, everything came together.
From the start, the Barn Burner podcast was different because of how honest they were willing to be. Not the kind of honesty that just sparks debate, but the kind that comes from a place of thoughtfulness, the kind that fans can feel. If something needed to be said, even if it ruffled feathers, they said it. People could tell they were being genuine, and that honesty kept listeners coming back. Over time, those listeners became part of a community that shared in the conversation and the experience.
It did not take long for the team to realize they wanted to do more than talk sports. Giving back had always been part of their lives through charity events, team initiatives, or personal involvement. When one of their sponsors shared their work with Closer to Home, particularly the Adopt-a-Family campaign, it felt like a natural fit. All three of them are parents, all three love the magic of the holidays, and helping families experience that joy felt like the right thing to do.
“There is nothing better than watching your kids open gifts and get completely overwhelmed with excitement. And knowing that some parents dread the holidays because they might not have anything to put under the tree really hit home,” said Dean.
From the start, Barn Burner was eager to support Adopt-a-Family through an online auction, even as they navigated the challenges of launching a new podcast. Between internet issues, crashing computers, malfunctioning microphones, and cameras that refused to cooperate, every day felt like an uphill battle. Adding the logistics of organizing a fundraiser to everything else was overwhelming, and at one point, they nearly considered waiting until the following year to make it happen.
But they asked themselves one question. If helping even a single family meant gifts under the tree, would it be worth it? The answer was yes.
They called in favours, found someone to help untangle the technical mess, and leaned on the patience of sponsors, friends, and listeners. And by the time the auction closed, they raised $21,000 for Adopt-a-Family. With the generosity of Barn Burner and their listeners, Closer to Home turned that support into holiday magic for so many families in our community.
“That moment sticks with us,” Dean said. “It reminds us that things do not have to run perfectly to make a difference.”
The spirit of giving grew out of the connection that Barn Burner fans already felt. Listeners trusted them, and when Barn Burner talked about families who needed support for the holidays through Adopt-a-Family, people wanted to help. Dean has seen it again and again: “Every time we ask the audience to step up, they do. It blows us away.”
Calgary itself makes generosity easy. The city has a small-town feel, and even as it grows, its spirit of giving stays strong. “Calgary just shows up. It always has,” Dean adds. Sports bring people together here, and that same energy often turns into real support for others in need. And every season, Barn Burner’s listeners prove just how deeply that generosity runs.
What keeps Barn Burner coming back to Adopt-a-Family year after year is seeing the impact. They love that Closer to Home is a small team doing big things, and that you can see the results of donations. One part of the program that stands out above all–families get to choose their own gifts. Picking out, buying, and wrapping presents brings dignity and joy in a way that pre-packaged gifts cannot.
“How do you not love Christmas?” Dean asked, thinking about the families who get to experience that anticipation, excitement, and relief.
To the families being supported this year, they want them to know that every gift, every effort, every bit of support comes from people who care deeply. You are loved. You are seen. A whole community is cheering for you.
Barn Burner has built more than a podcast. They have built a community that shows up for one another. Their partnership with Closer to Home is proof that generosity does not need perfect timing or flawless execution. It just needs people willing to show up and make a difference.
In Calgary, that difference is seen every holiday season because of Barn Burner.
We are so grateful to Rhett, Ryan, Dean, and everyone involved with Barn Burner for their generosity, their thoughtfulness, and their commitment to making the holidays brighter for so many families in our community. Thank you for showing what it means to give, to care, and to bring people together.
