CREATE - The Podcast

Today on the CREATE Podcast, I sat down with James Costello, CEO of Tool Shed Brewing Company, entrepreneur, CPA, and business strategist who's built a career helping companies grow, evolve, and overcome adversity. While many people know Tool Shed as one of Alberta's pioneering craft breweries, James stepped into the role during one of the company's most challenging chapters. We tal...

Today on the CREATE Podcast, I sat down with Jarvis Clemens, better known as DJ Goodbar - a Calgary DJ who has spent years turning dance floors into unforgettable experiences.  If you have ever been to an ABF festival - you know who Jarvis is! Known for seamlessly blending hip-hop, house, funk, disco, and open-format sounds, Jarvis has built a reputation for reading the room, creating energy, and...

Matthew Hendriks is the founder of byHendo The Cocktail Company and the entrepreneur behind SHAFT Coffee Beverages , one of Western Canada's fastest-growing ready-to-drink coffee cocktail brands.  After building his career in Banff's hospitality industry, Matthew turned a passion for great cocktails, coffee, and unforgettable guest experiences into a company that's redefining the re...

Today on the CREATE Podcast - I sat down with Eve Lacey to discuss her growing career as a musician. Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Eve began studying piano at age six through the Royal Conservatory of Music and later expanded into vocals and guitar.  In 2022, Eve took full control of her musical journey, booking dozens of farmers markets across Southern Alberta and using those performances as a...

John Jackson and Connie DeSousa are the chef-founders and co-owners of CHAR Hospitality Group, one of Canada's leading hospitality companies, with more than 10 restaurants across Alberta and British Columbia. Known for their commitment to local food, community building, and culinary innovation, John and Connie have spent more than two decades helping shape Calgary's food scene. Inspired...

Bethany Ross is the Executive Director of Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids, a community-driven organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to the food they need to thrive. With more than 20 years of experience in the charitable and human services sector, Bethany has built her career around bringing people together to create meaningful change. Since joining Brown Bagging for Calg...

Kim Lawton is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and passionate advocate for craft beer, wine, tourism, and small business. As the owner of DogLeg Marketing & Business Solutions and Marketing Director for both Cannery Brewing and Fort Berens Estate Winery, she has spent nearly three decades helping brands tell their stories, build meaningful relationships, and connect with their communitie...

Tannis Baker is the co-founder of Food Tourism Strategies and one of Canada’s leading advocates for culinary and agritourism. Through initiatives like Terroir Symposium and Alberta Open Farm Days, she helps connect chefs, farmers, foragers, producers, and communities through food, culture, and storytelling.  Named one of Alberta Venture Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Albertans, Tannis is passionat...

Cory Davison is an entrepreneur, author, and community builder who has rebuilt her life and career with purpose. Born in Honduras and now based in Calgary, she is the founder of 4Xperience and creator of The 4X Method, helping organizations break down silos and align their customer, employee, brand, and product experiences for growth. She is also the founder of SHE Community, a platform supporting...

Kent Swanlund is the CEO & Co-Founder of CO2Brew, a company bringing sustainable innovation to the brewing industry. A chemical engineering graduate from the University of Calgary, he began his career in process engineering at Worley before spending a decade in technical sales at Spartan Controls. A “nerd at heart who enjoys beer,” Kent’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked by a conversation w...

Amish Morjaria is the Founder & CEO of Forward Level, a strategic Marketing and HR firm built on one core belief—business is a human experience. With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Amish is known for helping leaders simplify complexity, shift perspective, and unlock real momentum by aligning brand, culture, and strategy.  A creative thinker and natural connector, he challenges tr...

Brad Holt is a professional artist who has spent more than 16 years doing what he loves - creating art that connects with people. Raised on a farm near Strathmore, Brad’s work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and stories of Alberta. Known for his unique process, he builds each piece starting with reclaimed wood and metal frames, often sourced from barns and old homes. An antique picker at heart,...

Guntas Sethi is the owner and operator of Spicebro, where he’s building a fast-casual brand centered around bold, fresh, high-protein Indian-inspired food.  His journey started inside McDonald's, where he spent eight years learning the fundamentals of systems, leadership, and delivering consistent customer experiences at scale. Today, Guntas blends that operational discipline with a sharp foc...

My friend and mentor, Alastair Smart, is someone who truly embodies what it means to live a full and happy life.  Born and raised in England, he began his career as a police officer before following a path that eventually brought him to Canada. Along the way, he embraced a wide range of experiences - from driving taxis to managing retail stores - each shaping his perspective on people, work, and c...

Amber Nicole Hayes is a Calgary-based interior designer, entrepreneur, and author of The Obedient Daughter – a powerful memoir about breaking silence, confronting trauma, and reclaiming your voice. After leaving the corporate world to build her own design business, Amber’s greatest transformation happened internally. At 37, after carrying the secret of childhood sexual abuse for 25 years, she face...

Blake Belding is the co-founder of Cold Garden Beverage Company.  What started as homebrewing beer and making wine evolved into a vision - one that would eventually become one of Calgary’s most recognizable and innovative beverage brands. As the creative force behind Cold Garden’s ever-evolving lineup, Blake is constantly experimenting, pushing boundaries, and redefining what a local beverage comp...

Linda Olsen is a born-and-raised Calgarian and award-winning storyteller who spent nearly three decades as one of the most trusted voices at Global News Calgary. Over a 36-year career in journalism, she helped shape how the city understood its defining moments - from breaking news to powerful human stories that connected communities. In 2024, she stepped away from the anchor desk and into a new ch...

Steve McVicker is the Chief Brand Officer and Co-Founder of Matt & Steve’s, the proudly Canadian company behind The Extreme Bean and one of the most recognizable names in the Caesar and pickle category. What began as a bold idea between two best friends has grown into an international brand built on fun, flavour, authenticity, and emotional connection. Steve is the driving force behind the bra...

Andrew Gass is a chef with more than 35 years of experience around the globe.  He’s worked everywhere from Walt Disney World Resorts to elite international hockey tournaments - earning two gold medals as Team Canada’s chef at the World Junior Championships in Sweden and the Czech Republic.  A graduate of the Olds College Brew Master program (with distinction) - Andrew is now the co-owner of Vaycay...

Dillon Stecyk, COO of The Apres Collective , is a creative entrepreneur and one of the driving forces behind the Aroabora Music Festival in Banff - a unique, mountain-set celebration that blends music, nature, and human connection. With a background rooted in events, culture, and collaboration, Dillon has helped shape Aroabora into an experience that brings people together and reminds them what mu...

Tasha Swiderski is a wife, mom of three, and wellness advocate shaped by resilience, faith, and intentional living. After navigating cancer, Lyme disease, and Desmoid tumors, her health journey became a catalyst for change - shifting her focus from survival to helping others live healthier lives. Guided by her faith, Tasha believes in turning pain into purpose and learning to listen to the body. T...

Michael Noble is one of Canada’s most respected culinary leaders, with over 46 years in the kitchen and a legacy built on excellence, resilience, and mentorship. A competitor on the world stage, Michael has represented Canada in multiple international culinary competitions and remains the only Canadian chef to ever compete on Iron Chef Japan , battling Masaharu Morimoto in front of millions of vie...

Stephane Prevost is a self-taught chef and restaurateur who has helped shape the Banff dining scene for more than two decades. His journey into hospitality began unexpectedly after studying film in Montreal and landing in Banff in 1980 - a moment that set the course for a life built around food, people, and place. Deeply influenced by nearly six years living in Japan, Stephane’s philosophy centers...

Jason Zaran is the President of Fit Kitchen and a pioneer in Calgary’s healthy, convenient food movement. After more than 20 years in the consumer packaged goods industry, Jason left corporate life at 42 to pursue entrepreneurship - launching The Main Dish and later founding Fit Kitchen, Alberta’s first meal prep company. In this conversation, Jason shares what it takes to build and scale a food b...

Dillon Stecyk is the COO of APRÈS Beverage Festivals, an entrepreneur, and a consciousness coach who bridges two worlds: large-scale festivals and deep synchronistic transformation. As the operational force behind some of Western Canada’s most iconic events - Dillon has spent over a decade creating spaces where people connect through music, food, beverage & celebration. Behind the scenes, his...