Hey, Downtown Van!

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO Jane Talbot as they welcome Peter Raptis, Owner of The Pawn Shop Granville. They dive into Peter’s journey through Vancouver’s hospitality industry, go behind the scenes of The Pawn Shop, and explore his front-row perspective on the evolution of Granville Street. Peter also shares his vision for the future of Granville, the role of BIAs...

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO Jane Talbot as they welcome Peter Raptis, Owner of The Pawn Shop Granville. They dive into Peter’s journey through Vancouver’s hospitality industry, go behind the scenes of The Pawn Shop, and explore his front-row perspective on the evolution of Granville Street. Peter also shares his vision for the future of Granville, the role of BIAs...

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Dr. Bonnie Nish, Executive Director of Word Vancouver, a festival celebrating written word and inspiring creativity among readers and writers. Bonnie shares her journey as a writer and explores how storytelling, poetry, and literature can bring people together. They also discuss the evolution of Word Vancouver, Vancouver’s literary scene, and the importance of mak...

In this episode, hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO, Jane Talbot down with Arezo Zarrabian, Senior Crime Analyst with the Vancouver Police Department, to explore crime trends, public safety, and what the data really tells us about downtown Vancouver. We discuss the impact of vibrant public spaces, major events like the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone, and how businesses, res...

In this exciting episode, host Sofia Laratta sits down with Christina Florencio, Founder of REVIVAL Colour Analysis Studio, to explore the world of colour analysis and the transformative impact of finding the colours that truly suit you. From REVIVAL’s beginnings as a vintage clothing business to its evolution into a colour analysis studio in downtown Vancouver, they dive into personal style, smar...

Join Hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO, Jane Talbot with special guest Brent Toderian, City Planner and Urbanist at TODERIAN UrbanWORKS Inc., as they discuss the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone, what the World Cup pilot revealed about the future of Vancouver's public spaces, the zone's extension, and what it takes to create thriving people-first streets and a strong...

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with award-winning chef and restaurateur Angus An to explore his journey from aspiring chef to one of Vancouver's leading culinary voices. Together, they discuss the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and hospitality. Learn about what it takes to build a great restaurant and creating meaningful experiences that extend far beyond the plate.

In this episode, hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO Jane Talbot sit down with Peter Jackman, General Manager of Terminal City Club, to discuss leading one of Vancouver's most historic private clubs through growth and transformation while preserving its rich traditions. Peter shares his journey, insights into the evolving member experience, and perspective on the future of...

In this episode, hosts Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, to explore how tourism shapes the future of great cities. With decades of leadership experience, Royce shares insights on Vancouver’s evolving identity as a global destination and how visitor economies can strengthen both downtown vibrancy and community. Don't miss out on...

Catch the latest episode with Host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Kalith Nanayakkara and Bradley Hoy, Co-Founders of Plug Vancouver, a community built to connect, inspire, and empower Vancouver's young professionals, creators, and founders. They share the story behind the brand, the lessons learned from building a thriving community, and some of their most memorable experiences in enterta...

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO Jane Talbot with special guest Luca Citton, President & Shareholder of Boughton Law, corporate lawyer, and community leader. Luca shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and community impact from more than 25 years in law. From navigating the pandemic as Board Chair of Downtown Van to helping shape major Vancouver initiatives, he...

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Maria, Founder of Art From The Heart Vancouver, to explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for connection, healing, and self-expression. Maria shares the inspirations behind creating inclusive, community-driven art experiences where people of all backgrounds feel welcome to explore the craft. Tune in to hear the most memorable moments and wha...

Hosts Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Vancouver-based developer and climate advocate Gabriel Dalton, President and Founder of Oasis of Change Inc. He shares how teaching himself to code at 10 and growing up on a boat shaped his vision for a more sustainable internet, along with insights from working with organizations like Microsoft and IKEA. From speaking as the youngest voice in the...

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Tanya Bennett, Owner of Vancouver Mysteries, an award-winning business creating engaging, puzzle-based adventures across downtown Vancouver. Tanya shares more about designing unforgettable experiences, the most unexpected moments from players, and the challenges of building and growing a creative business. Tune in to hear insights and advice for aspiring entrepren...

In this episode, Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Graham Blank, Vice President and Director of Tom Lee Music Canada, to explore his three-decade journey supporting musicians and shaping Vancouver’s music scene. He reflects on the evolution of Granville Street, shares memorable stories from the store, and discusses the importance of music to community and culture. The conversation also f...

Season 3 kicks off with host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Emad Yacoub, Founder, President, and CEO of Glowbal Restaurant Group. He shares how he built one of Vancouver’s most dynamic hospitality brands, growing it since 2002 into a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants that have become staples of the city’s dining scene. Tune in as he discusses how each concept maintains its own identity while...

Catch up with Sofia Laratta and Sheri Rowe, Director of Festival Operations at Just For Laughs Vancouver, as they explore behind the scenes of one of Canada’s premier comedy festivals. Sheri shares how the festival brings together top comedians and rising talent, and a sneak peek at this year’s downtown Vancouver lineup. From memorable moments to what sets the festival apart, Sheri reveals why Jus...

Explore the culinary world with Sofia Laratta and Chef Behshad, Executive Chef at C|Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine. With experience in international kitchens, he blends classic Italian techniques with modern, ingredient-driven creativity, sharing how he crafts signature dishes, leads his team, and brings a fresh vision to Vancouver’s dining scene.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Tara Armstrong and Michelle Lan, the founders of Armstrong + Lan PR, to explore the story behind their agency from the spark that started it all to the unique challenges and advantages of being women in business. Discover what PR looks like day-to-day, the surprising and creative moments behind their campaigns, and how giving back is an integral part o...

Tune in with Sofia Laratta and Ashley Chandler, Senior Manager of Programming & Events at Hudson Pacific Properties, as they explore how thoughtful activations turn office buildings into vibrant, connected communities. Ashley shares how tenant-focused events foster belonging, energize workplaces, and bring downtown Vancouver to life.

This week, host Sofia Laratta chats with FUNK Coffee’s Kurtis Warren and Luis Cervera about how the brand ignited a new wave of creativity in Vancouver’s specialty coffee scene. They break down the meaning behind their rebrand “It’s not just coffee, it’s a vibe.” and how that ethos shapes everything from sourcing to seasonal creations. Learn how the energy of their Dunsmuir Street café and their c...

Join host Sofia Laratta and Managing Partner at hcma, Darryl Condon, whose work champions the power of thoughtful design to foster belonging and strengthen community. Together, they explore why public space is essential to the health and identity of cities like Vancouver, and how inclusive design can help create a more vibrant, resilient, and connected urban future.

Join host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Chef Rob Feenie, Executive Chef of Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie. From his early training in Europe to leading some of Vancouver’s most celebrated kitchens, Rob reflects on the experiences that shaped his culinary journey. Tune in as he shares insights on creativity, mentorship, and the full-circle moment of returning to the restaurant where it all began.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with William Donnellan and Aaron Lacey from The IRL Group — one of Vancouver’s leading corporate groups with a dynamic footprint in hospitality, construction, and events. In this episode, they share their vision for revitalizing Granville Street, the growth of the Shamrock Storehouse franchise, and how they’re gearing up for the World Cup.

Join Host Sofia Laratta as she chats with Jared Byrne, founder of Pop Queen Cardio. Hear how Jared’s passion for fitness, dance, and pop culture inspired the creation of a vibrant community. Everything from challenges as a small business owner to empowering everyone to move with confidence and joy.