204 Rise

What does it take to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom, not once, but multiple times? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jason McLean , an author, speaker, and mental health advocate who’s made it his mission to turn pain into purpose. Jason opens up about growing up in a broken home, battling mental health challenges, and facing moments where life could’ve gone either way. Throu...

What does it take to capture the energy of a professional sports team and turn it into stories that move people? In this episode, we sit down with Foebus Dela Paz — the creative mind behind the Winnipeg Sea Bears’ most viral videos and cinematic game-day moments. Foebus shares his journey from picking up a camera for fun to becoming one of Winnipeg’s top videographers, known for his storytelling a...

We had the privilege of sitting down with Scott Gillingham, the 44th Mayor of Winnipeg, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about leadership, community, and the future of our city. Mayor Gillingham shares how his years of service as a pastor shaped his desire to make a greater impact, ultimately leading him into politics. He talks about his vision for Winnipeg, especially the downtown core,...

In this episode, we sit down with  The Degenerates  to trace their journey from humble beginnings to festival stages. They open up about their earliest gigs, the nerves of their first major booking, and how they grew from playing to small crowds into commanding big festival audiences. We dive into the story of how they formed their duo, what keeps them motivated, and the importance of living in th...

What does it take to turn your love for festivals into a movement that changes lives? In this episode, we sit down with Desa Desautels, a driving force in the EDM scene who’s redefining what it means to be part of festival culture. From her first rave experiences to stepping behind the decks as a DJ, Desa opens up about her journey of passion, community, and purpose. She shares the story of Festi...

What does it really take to turn passion into purpose? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Lampa to unpack his journey of chasing creativity, overcoming setbacks, and building a life fueled by music and community. From his first breaks in the industry to moments of doubt and rock bottom, Andrew opens up about how he found confidence again and the lessons that shaped his path. We explore the c...

In this episode of the 204Rise podcast we joined by Lumasi! From first tour to life on the road, Lumasi has been carving out a name as one of the most exciting voices in music today. In this episode of the 204 Rise Podcast, he opens up about chasing passion, balancing life as a full-time artist, and the raw reality of building a music career. Lumasi shares how he battles burnout, stays true to his...

In this episode, we sit down with Infekt , an EDM artist who turned his passion for music into a full-time career. From his creative beginnings to the rush of festival crowds, Infekt opens up about life behind the decks, the milestones that defined his journey, and the moment he left his day job to pursue music. We dive into the realities of touring, staying healthy on the road, and the confidence...

From late-night sessions in the studio to topping charts across the globe Joel Corry’s journey is a powerful lesson in resilience, passion, and unwavering persistence. On the latest episode of the 204 Rise Podcast, Joel dives deep into the highs and lows of chasing a dream for over 20 years. He shares the raw moments of doubt and heartbreak that nearly made him walk away from the music but also th...

On this episode of the 204 Rise Podcast, we sat down with violinist and career musician Allan Palmer , whose journey started as a young busker on the streets of Winnipeg. Now performing across weddings, events, and live shows, Allan has made a name for himself with his soulful take on violin music. We talked about the differences between playing for a packed crowd vs. an intimate ceremony, the sur...

Explore the vibrant heartbeat of Winnipeg culture with Stephen Hua, a key driver behind the city's nightlife, events, and community-building. As co‑founder of Summer of Sound, he helped bring huge names to local stages. Today, Stephen continues shaping the Exchange District with innovative ventures like Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar, a sleek dinner-club concept that celebrates Winnipeg’s culinary art...

On this episode of the 204 Rise Podcast, we sit down with fitness coach and entrepreneur Janelle Hill, @janellefaithill, who carved her path as a fitness influencer before it was cool. From early content creation to building her own coaching business @gymwithjan, Janelle shares her journey of turning passion into purpose. We talk about what it was like getting into the fitness industry early on, h...

In this episode of the 204Rise podcast, we take you inside the Winnipeg Sea Bears' 2025 Media Day for an exclusive look at the people and passion driving Manitoba’s pro basketball team. From Head Coach and GM Mike Taylor’s leadership to the dedication of players l we explore how the Sea Bears are building a culture of excellence both on and off the court. We also chat with key front office staff,...

Welcome back Neema Naz! We catch up on his incredible journey since we last spoke. Neema has been grinding harder than ever, pushing himself to new heights in the world of comedy. We dig deep into what it really takes to build a career as a professional comedian, from navigating tough crowds and nonstop travel to going back to school to sharpen his craft. Get ready for honest stories, behind-the-s...

In this episode of 204 Rise, we take you behind the scenes of our most unforgettable moments. It all started with a surreal backstage encounter with Jelly Roll – a raw, unfiltered experience that became our highest-viewed episode ever. We share the chaos, excitement, and unexpected insights from our time with the Arena Rockerz at Jelly Roll's Beautifully Broken Tour while he was stopping in Winnip...

They didn’t wait for a seat at the table, they made their own. In this episode, we’re joined by Hannah Picknicki and Emma Novak of the Track Talk Podcast, two content creators carving out space in one of the most male-dominated sports on the planet: motor sports. What started as a passion project quickly turned into a podcast with serious traction leading to exclusive paddock access, brand collabo...

​In Episode 172 of 204 Rise, we sit down with Giovanna Minenna—founder of Brows by G and Browluxe—to explore her journey from a one-chair brow studio in her Winnipeg apartment to building a national beauty brand. Giovanna shares how she scaled her business to over $1.5 million in revenue within two years, secured a $2 million valuation deal on Dragons’ Den, and expanded her cosmetic product line t...

This one was special . On episode 171, we got exclusive access to sit down with Arena Rockerz right inside Canada Life Centre, moments before they lit up the stage alongside Jelly Roll on his Beautifully Broken Tour. Known for their powerhouse performances and ability to move arenas full of people, Arena Rockerz opened up to us about life on the road, working with massive artists, and how they bri...

In this episode, we sit down with Marissa Naylor, a multifaceted professional from Winnipeg who seamlessly balances her roles as a wedding and branding photographer, marketing officer, and Team Canada bowler. Marissa shares insights into her journey, from capturing authentic love stories through her lens to representing Canada on the international bowling stage. We delve into her passion for story...

In this episode, we sit down with YSN Fab, a Winnipeg native who transformed personal challenges into musical triumphs. Starting his journey as a football player, a career-ending injury led him to discover his passion for rap. Since then, YSN Fab has released multiple successful projects, including his debut album Made 4 More in 2020, and the EPs Thru The Thunder and After The Storm in 2023. With...

Jasmin Laine is proof that authenticity wins online. From witty takes on everyday life to deep conversations about personal growth, she’s built a social media presence that feels refreshingly real. With her content gaining traction and reaching thousands, she’s navigating the highs and lows of internet fame while staying true to herself. In this episode, we sit down with Jasmin to talk about the p...

Michael Sparks isn’t just making music—he’s making waves. The Montreal-based DJ and producer has built a reputation for pushing boundaries, blending genres, and delivering high-energy sets that keep crowds moving. From underground clubs to major festival stages, his rise in the EDM world has been anything but ordinary. While in Winnipeg, fresh off his set at one of the city’s biggest EDM events, M...

In Episode 166 of 204Rise, we sit down with Aliyah Pudwill, a local creator who has taken TikTok by storm with her viral trends and relatable content. Known as @aliyahjuliana_ on TikTok and @aliyahtheano on Instagram, Aliyah shares the story behind her rise as a digital creator, offering insights into her creative process and what it really takes to connect with audiences in the ever-changing worl...

What does it take to turn a vision into one of Winnipeg’s most renowned media production companies? 🎥 In this episode, we sit down with Garrett McEwen, the mastermind behind Club Create, to uncover the story of perseverance, passion, and purpose that led him to the top of the creative industry. Garrett shares how he built his business from the ground up, starting with small projects and ev...

This year on 204 Rise , we had the privilege of capturing some of the most inspiring stories from our community and beyond. In this special year-end episode, we’re revisiting the highlights that defined 2024. From celebrating the Winnipeg Sea Bears’ triumphant season 🏀 to stepping onto the field with the Goldeyes ⚾, we explored what it means to be part of a winning team. We also dug into...