Neighbour Studio

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Derek Andrews , Performing Arts Manager, for an inside look at the Aurora Blues Festival and what makes it one of the community’s most anticipated summer events. 🎶🎤 Derek takes listeners behind the scenes, sharing how the festival comes together, from curating an exciting lineup of blues talent to creating an atmos...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Melanie Muirhead, a dedicated social services worker and advocate with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. A proud Durham College alumna, Melanie has spent her career working on the front lines of care, providing compassionate support in a var...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Derek Andrews, Performing Arts Manager, to talk all about the upcoming Aurora Blues Festival. 🎶🎸 Derek shares what makes the Aurora Blues Festival a must-attend summer event, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the planning, the performers, and the community spirit that brings the festival to life each year. From cel...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Gina Livy, CEO of Weight Loss by Gina , #1 bestselling author, podcast host, and creator of the Livy Method .   Recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women (Top 100) , Gina has built a movement around sustainable weight loss and real-life wellness. Her approach focuses on mindset, consistency, and long-term resul...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Dr. John Ryan Lau from Align Health Centres, specializing in naturopathic care.   Dr. Lau is passionate about helping patients take a proactive, holistic approach to their health. In this conversation, he shares how naturopathic care can support senior health , men’s health , and overall wellness through personalized,...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Kevin Hennessy, President and CEO of Summer Skates. Kevin shares his dynamic career journey, reflecting on the many roles and industries he’s navigated on his path to entrepreneurship. From his time at Hallmark to leading Summer Skates, Kevin discusses the experiences that shaped his leadership style and ultimately insp...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with cover feature Milton Hart: Olympian, educator, community leader, and Hall of Fame athlete.  Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Milton’s journey is one of resilience and relentless determination. From being cut from his high school track team to becoming a champion sprinter, Jamaican Olympic bobsledder, and later a...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas for an in-depth conversation about the past year in the Town of Aurora. Mayor Mrakas reflects on the key moments, challenges, and accomplishments that shaped the year, offering insight into how Aurora continues to grow and evolve. From community priorities and local initiatives to the realities...

Join us for a special episode of Conversations with Neighbours as host Myles sits down with MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy to reflect on a huge year for Newmarket–Aurora, from her re-election to major community investments in healthcare, housing, seniors, and more. In this candid conversation, Dawn shares what it meant to be re-elected, the reality of campaigning during February’s brutal winter, and th...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Maria Vitoria Costa from Tax Partners, a firm with a long-standing reputation for trusted accounting and tax services across the Greater Toronto and York Region areas. For more than 38 years, Tax Partners, along with its predecessor principals and associates, has supported a diverse client base with accounting, tax prep...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Rachel Hawtin, Brand Manager & Community Liaison at NewRoads Automotive Group. 🚗✨ With over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and event management, Rachel brings a dynamic blend of creativity, strategy, and community connection to everything she does. A proud OCAD graduate, she has...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Shelagh Cummins, a powerhouse business strategist and champion for women entrepreneurs. 🚀✨ Shelagh is the creator of The FUEL Mastermind and the Life-Fuel Business Lounge, programs designed to help women scale their businesses profitably while gaining more time, revenue, and freedom. As the founder of Capital Acces...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Scott Johnston, a veteran cartoonist and proud member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists and the National Cartoonists Society.   Scott has been drawing for as long as he can remember and has spent more than 25 years creating editorial cartoons for a local newspaper. Through ink and imagination, he’s captured...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Shai and Danny Samuelson of Harbor Painting Co. Inc. 🎨🏡 Harbor Painting Co. isn’t just about fresh coats of paint; it’s about respect, care, and craftsmanship. Shai and Danny share how they built a business rooted in treating every home and workplace as if it were their own, with a focus on cleanliness, precision, an...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Shivani Persad, digital creator, brand marketer, and the voice behind liveshiv and New to Newmarket . ✨📱📍 A 30-something new to the area, Shivani has quickly become a go-to guide for discovering the best of Newmarket and Aurora. From hidden gems to cozy cafés to standout small businesses, she’s made it her mis...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Nina Sawaqed, owner of NüStachio, Newmarket’s home for fresh, flavourful nuts, coffee, and tea. ☕🥜✨ Nina shares the story behind her family-run shop, which was built on a simple yet powerful idea: offering high-quality products with genuine, personal service. From perfectly roasted nuts to rich, aromatic coffees an...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof welcomes Pat, Anastasia & Kelly from Artistica Ballroom Dance Studio.   Artistica believes dance should be joyful, inviting, and fun, never pretentious or intimidating. In this conversation, Pat, Anastasia and Kelly share how the studio turns learning into play, why community matters on the dance floor, and how they help stu...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Mark McCartney, an experienced insurance broker with BrokerLink. 🛡️🏠 With years of expertise helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the world of insurance, Mark brings a practical and people-centred approach to protecting what matters most. From home and auto coverage to specialized policies and r...

Please meet this month's cover feature, Cristiana Fard! If you’ve ever come across the name Cute as a Button Girl, chances are you’ve already smiled before even seeing the products. Behind the pink, bow-topped logo and the adorable brand name is Cristiana, a young entrepreneur who’s been known around Newmarket, and the surrounding area, as the “Cute Button Girl.” At just 6 years old, Cristian...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak welcomes Jennifer Adams and Andrea Interior from Margaret Bahen Hospice and Doane House Hospice.   Jennifer Adams is the Vice-President of Philanthropy , specializing in community engagement, corporate giving, and building meaningful relationships that support compassionate care. With a passion for connecting people and purpose, she...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Jerisha Grant-Hall, Founder and Executive Director of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA).  A respected community leader, educator, and advocate, Jerisha has been at the forefront of fostering inclusion, representation, and empowerment across York Region and beyond. As the newly appointed Exec...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Real Estate Sales Representative Julien Laurion. 🏡✨ Born and raised in Aurora’s Orchard Heights neighbourhood, Julien has always been deeply connected to his community. After time spent working in hospitality in New York City, he returned home to Canada to put down roots and grow his family in Aurora, a dream he had...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Angel Kuang, founder of Inspiration Learning.  Angel’s journey began in Mainland China, where she grew up under the pressure of the Gaokao system, an education model built on memorization and a single life-defining exam. Even then, she believed learning should inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence. After running...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Ruby Lui-Lina, General Manager at NewRoads Newmarket Toyota, Vice Chair of the Central York Chamber of Commerce, and Secretary Treasurer of the Ontario Toyota Dealers Advertising Association.  Ruby brings a wealth of experience in both business and community leadership. From managing one of Newmarket’s most recognized...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak welcomes Martin Kurek, founder of Summerhill Electric Ltd.  Established in December 2023, Summerhill Electric is a residential electrical service provider based in Newmarket. After starting his career in 2013, Martin gained over a decade of experience working on major projects across Toronto, including CIBC Square, Scotiabank Arena,...