204 Rise

Fresh off Summer of Sound 2026, Danny Avila talks about 15 years on the road and why he didn't coast. At 15, he left his family and moved to his grandparents' basement in Madrid with zero connections. Tiëesto predicted he'd be a superstar. But instead of chasing that prediction, he invented a new sound (Mainstage Techno) and stayed true to his gut. In this conversation: Why he'd ra...

What does a man do when he’s receiving death threats, being criticized online, and running one of the most public campaigns in the city? According to Umar Hayat, you relax, calm down, and make sure you have fun. In this episode, we sit down with Winnipeg mayoral candidate Umar Hayat to explore the mindset that has made him one of the city’s most recognizable personalities. We discuss fear, stress,...

What does it take to turn your life into a memoir? In this episode, we sit down with writer, poet, and memoirist Tay Aly Jade to explore the deeply personal process of transforming memories, trauma, and life experiences into stories that can help others feel less alone. From documenting moments on scraps of paper as a teenager to writing a memoir that revisits some of the most difficult chapters o...

Cannabis isn’t just about “getting high.” In this episode, we sat down with the founders of Low Cloud Mary Marov and Maxwell Druxwell to uncover the side of the cannabis industry most people never hear about. From the science behind cannabinoids and full-spectrum products, to the stigma surrounding cannabis, entrepreneurship, product development, and building a company in one of Canada’s newest in...

In this live episode of 204 Rise, creators, podcasters, influencers, comedians, and entrepreneurs come together for a real conversation about the future of content creation. Long form vs short form? Which one actually wins in 2026?From posting every single day, to building podcasts from cheap Amazon mics, to dealing with burnout, imposter syndrome, analytics, money, hate, consistency, and creativi...

Tickets: https://3common.com/204riseWinnipeg’s networking events are about to change. In this episode, we talk about why we’re hosting our first-ever 204 Rise Live Podcast and what makes it different from a typical networking event. No awkward small talk, no standing around alone—just real conversations and real connections. We’re bringing together creators to answer one big question: what content...

We sit down inside the Manitoba Legislative Building with Obby Khan, Leader of the Opposition, for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with representing an entire province. Walking through the historic halls of the legislature each day is something Obby says he never takes for granted, a reminder that the work being done inside those walls affects real pe...

In this Episode of the 204Rise podcast we sit down with Margaux Miller to explore a question that feels more relevant than ever: how do we build real community in a world that’s constantly connected but increasingly isolated? Margaux shares why happiness and longevity are directly tied to the strength of our relationships, and why physical proximity, intentional time, and meaningful interaction st...

Amie didn’t set out to build a gym as much as she set out to build a place where people felt seen, supported, and challenged in the right ways. In Episode 201, Amie Seier, founder of The Community Gym, walks us through the decisions that shaped her business long before the doors ever opened. Early pop-up classes and unconventional equipment choices eventually became the quieter leadership moments...

On episode 200 of the 204 Rise Podcast, we sit down with Michael Benarroch, President of the University of Manitoba, for a rare and candid conversation about leadership at scale. We ask the question, "what does it actually take to lead one of Canada’s largest public institutions?". Breaking down how a $1.1+ billion organization functions, how decisions are made when students, faculty, go...

200 episodes in and this conversation feels like a checkpoint, not a finish line. This episode is a reflection on the journey from episode one to episode 200. The evolution of the show. The moments that tested us. The ones that quietly shaped everything. From recording in small studios to centre court at Canada Life Centre, backstage at concerts, inside gyms, boardrooms, and places we were never t...

Kori Cuthbert is the founder of The Hive Climbing Gym, but the journey to opening Winnipeg’s first dedicated bouldering gym started long before the doors ever opened. In this episode of 204 Rise, Kori shares why traditional fitness often fails to keep people engaged and how climbing creates something different, community built through problem-solving, shared struggle, and trust. He talks about cho...

Tanisha Dhillon’s life didn’t follow a straight line and that’s exactly what makes her story powerful. In this episode, Tanisha opens up about betting on herself early, leaving university, and moving across the world alone to chase a dream she didn’t fully understand yet. From pageants and modeling to acting in Bollywood, launching businesses, and opening brick-and-mortar stores across Canada, she...

Hitting one million followers sounds like the finish line, but Josh Anglo sees it very differently. In this episode of 204 Rise, Josh breaks down what actually goes into building an audience at scale and why consistency matters more than talent, luck, or perfection. Posting every single day at 5 p.m. became a non-negotiable discipline, not a strategy for virality, but a commitment to showing up ev...

Most people see Clairissa Cruz as the owner of four thriving Bare Body Sugaring locations and assume the journey was smooth. The reality is far different. In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Clairissa shares the full, unfiltered story behind building one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable beauty brands. She opens up about growing up in Manitoba Housing, starting her business from home with a...

What does it really take to build one of the fastest-growing chocolate brands in North America? In this episode, we sit down with Jake Karls, co-founder and chief storyteller of Mid-Day Squares. Jake opens up about the parts of the journey most entrepreneurs never share, heartbreak that reshaped his life, failed attempts that forced him to rebuild, losing himself along the way, and eventually disc...

We sit down with Mady Kennedy to unpack her incredible journey to becoming an Ironman. What started as a desire to push herself in new and unexpected ways quickly turned into one of the biggest challenges of her life. Mady opens up about the training, the mindset, the discipline, and the moments where quitting would’ve been the easiest option, but never the right one. Her story is a powerful remin...

In this episode of 204 Rise , we sit down with Dr. Norman Silver and David Berkowitz , the founders of QDoc , a healthcare startup based right here in Winnipeg that’s changing the way people access care. Built out of the need for faster, more convenient medical attention, QDoc connects patients with licensed doctors virtually, helping reduce wait times and make healthcare more accessible for every...

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Ramos better known as "Famos" , founder of Saint Barber Shop and Saintuary Coffee , to talk about what it really takes to chase your vision and build something from the ground up. From building one of Winnipeg’s most recognized barbershops to cutting hair for celebrities, Famos shares the mindset behind taking risks and betting on yourself. We touc...

Behind every great idea lies a little bit of chaos and for Jay Hall , that chaos became the foundation of something extraordinary. In this episode, we sit down with Jay to talk about his journey from music production and event planning to becoming the mastermind behind one of Manitoba’s most ambitious horror experiences, Fear Winnipeg . What started as a wild idea for a zombie chase quickly turned...

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Black, founder of Sheepdog Brew Co, to explore the journey of building a brand rooted in community, service, and purpose. From humble beginnings selling coffee to friends and family, Shawn shares how Sheepdog grew from a small side project into a full-scale brewing company dedicated to creating quality cold brew and meaningful connections. We start by diving...

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...