Hey, Downtown Van!

Join host Sofia Laratta for an insightful conversation with Downtown Van President and CEO, Jane Talbot, and special guest Stuart McNish — acclaimed journalist and host of Conversations That Matter. Tune in as they delve into the world of journalism, exploring what it takes to succeed in the field, and revealing Stuart’s dream interview guests.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Canada's Drag Race finalist Kendall Gender and Tommy D of TFD Presents. They spill the tea on what it really takes to thrive as a queen in the business, reflect on the highs and twists of reality TV, and share what it's like building an empire together as true business besties.

Join your host, Sofia Laratta, for an inspiring conversation with Daniela Dib, Founder of DibFit Cycle. Tune in as they explore Daniela's incredible journey from New York to LA to proud boutique fitness owner in downtown Vancouver.

Join host Sofia Laratta for an insightful conversation with Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van, and Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association. Tune in as they explore the shared characteristics of these cities, the vitality of Seattle's downtown core, and what truly makes a downtown "delightful."

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Joshua Davidson, Director of Operations at Downtown Van, and Neesha Hothi, Director of Communications and Marketing for the Vancouver JUNO Host Committee. Tune in for an exclusive conversation about the exciting lineup of events happening during JUNOS Week in downtown Vancouver!

In the Season 1 finale, hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard sit down with Joanna Jagger, Founder and President of the WORTH Association (Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality), a trailblazing organization committed to empowering women and advancing gender equality in the industry. Tune in for an insightful conversation on women in leadership and how we're challenging the status quo...

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Claire Leonard, Placemaker at Downtown Van, and Daniella Atkinson, a Vancouver-based creator known for her viral 'How Much Do You Make for a Living?' street interviews. Tune in for an engaging conversation about life as a Vancouver influencer, the challenges of cyberbullying, and much more!

Hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard are joined by Tania Richards, Rugby Canada's Managing Director of Commercial, Marketing & Communications. With the Vancouver Sevens on the horizon, they discuss the tournament's impact on the city and Canada's growing influence in the world of rugby.

On this episode, host Sofia Laratta sits down with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and Bert Hick, Founder & President of Rising Tide Consultants. Together, they delve into the complexities of navigating the cannabis and liquor licensing industries, sharing insights and experiences from their unique perspectives.

In this episode, host Sofia Laratta sits down with her name twin, Sophia Cheng, for an insightful and engaging conversation about the world of public relations, the impact of local businesses, and the influence of online reviews.

Host Sofia Laratta is joined by Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and special guest Ian Tostenson, President & CEO of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association (BCRFA). In this episode, they dive into the current landscape of BC's restaurant industry, explore tipping culture, and much more! Tune in for an insightful conversation on the challenges and opportunities shaping...

Join host Sofia Laratta for an engaging conversation with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and special guest Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. Together, they’ll explore topics like women’s empowerment, Councillor Kirby-Yung's journey in politics, and the future of Vancouver.

Join host Sofia Laratta for an intimate one-on-one with Vancouver content creator Laura Ullock. Tune in as they explore Laura's passion for supporting local businesses and how she became one of Vancouver's most recognizable voices.

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Lon LaClaire, the General Manager of Engineering Services at the City of Vancouver and President & CEO of Downtown Van, Jane Talbot. Together, they explore Lon's vision for the future of downtown Vancouver and the exciting developments on the horizon.

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard as they sit down with Bill Allman, President of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. In this episode, they delve into the significance of preserving Vancouver's rich musical history and the stories that shape its vibrant culture.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she chats with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and special guest Michelle Collens, Director of Sport Hosting Vancouver. Tune in for an exhilarating conversation about the thrilling events on the horizon, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Invictus Games, and discover what these events mean for the city!

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and Riley Wiwchar, Executive Director of the 2024 Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver. They’ll share exciting insights about what’s in store for attendees, football enthusiasts, and Nick Jonas fans alike.

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard as they chat with Rebecca Bollwitt, the visionary behind Vancouver's top blog, "Miss604." In this episode, they delve into her journey from web developer to Vancouver's top blogger, explore her favourite spots in downtown Vancouver, and much more!

Hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard chat with Uytae Lee, Creator and Producer of About Here , a YouTube channel and creative studio that makes urban planning accessible and engaging. Since 2018, Uytae has produced educational videos on key urban planning topics with partners such as the CBC, the City of Vancouver, the City of Toronto, and more.

In this episode of the podcast, host Sofia Laratta is joined by Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van, and Scott Moore, CEO of the 2025 Invictus Games. They delve into Scott's path from a journalist at CBC, his tenure as President of Sportsnet, to his current role as leader of the Vancouver-Whistler Invictus Games. 

Join host Sofia Laratta as she engages in a compelling discussion with Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van, and Vancouver City Councillor Peter Meiszner. In this episode, they explore a wide range of topics, from housing affordability to E-Scooters, diving deep into issues that shape Vancouver's landscape.

Join your host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and Inspector Marco Veronesi from the Vancouver Police Department in this insightful episode. Delve into the VPD's proactive strategies for ensuring safety in downtown Vancouver, and tune in for an engaging discussion on safeguarding our city's downtown core.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with the esteemed team from RIDE CYCLE CLUB, renowned as Vancouver and Toronto's premier indoor cycling studio. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the hurdles faced while navigating the pandemic within the fitness industry, the compelling reasons to give spin classes a try, and much more!

Join host Sofia Laratta on today's episode as she welcomes Downtown Van Placemaker, Claire Leonard, along with special guests James Ong and Eduardo Ottoni from EventLAB. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the inception of their business, navigating the unique challenges of event planning in downtown Vancouver, insights into this year's Granville Block Party, and much more!

Join host Sofia Laratta as she engages in an enlightening conversation with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, alongside the esteemed International Speaker, Guy Felicella. Together, they delve into the realms of recovery, combating the stigmas surrounding addiction, addressing issues concerning the downtown core, and much more. Warning: This episode may contain content that is trigg...