Edify Unfiltered

How do authors make time for their creative process? How do they decide what to write about? And what is it like to actually sit down and write ? Three local authors, David Berry, Lisa Martin and Zeina Sleiman, speak with contributor and guest host Zachary Ayotte about their recent books, the process of writing and what inspires them to keep writing.  In this episode:  How Artists Make Money and H...

Publisher Trudy Callaghan chats with two Edmonton restaurateurs — Juju Paul of Golden Sparrow and Ed Donszelmann of Otto Food and Drink and the new Tulip Sandwich Shoppe. Juju explains why he believes Edmonton diners are more sophisticated than ever, how collaboration between chefs makes the scene stronger and the meaning behind the name Golden Sparrow — a hidden gem with big ambitions. Next, Trud...

How is former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi faring in Edmonton? The Alberta NDP leader sits down with host Omar Mouallem to discuss his new role, the issues facing Alberta’s big cities and whether he’ll start cheering for the Oilers. (02:21) - Introducing Naheed Nenshi (10:40) - Filling Rachel Notley’s shoes (18:52) - Addressing Edmonton’s local issues (26:50) - Changing the way cities respond to me...

Two Top 40 Under 40 honourees — artist and small business owner Michael Hingston and business consultant Raj Bhatti — sit down with the host to discuss what draws young professionals to Edmonton. Hingston, a Vancouver transplant, and Bhatti, born and raised in Mill Woods, share differing perspectives on why this city inspires devotion and passionate defense from lifelong residents and transplants...

A casual conversation at a run club turned into an epic tale — writers Russell Cobb and Sarah Brandvold join Omar Mouallem to pull back the curtain on the story behind the story. Along the way, they unravel the fascinating history of the University of Alberta’s storied and often mythologized Ancient Egyptian resident — a mummified person known as “Horus.” Read “ The Secret Life of Horus ” by Russe...

The arts have always relied on grants to create work and mount productions — but in recent years, that grant funding has stagnated, leaving organizations to get creative just to keep the lights on. Edmonton Opera’s Executive Director Robin Whiffen joins guest host Zachary Ayotte to discuss the state of arts funding in Edmonton, and what it’s going to take to attract new audiences and find new aven...

Edmonton punches above its weight in industrial design — so why does the city fly under the radar? Onetwosix Design’s Nick Kazakoff joins Omar to discuss Edmonton’s design successes, challenges and what makes the city such fertile ground for designers and design companies to flourish. Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (00:42) - Introducing Nick Kazakoff (05:54) - The Loop (11:56) - Why st...

What does Edmonton’s film commissioner do? How is Edmonton’s film industry developing? And how does Edmonton Screen support emerging Edmonton filmmakers? Omar sits down with Dorian Rowe, Film Commissioner with Edmonton Screen, to discuss the art of filmmaking, supporting filmmakers and how the art form is growing in the city.  Learn more about Edmonton Screen . Check out the Edmonton International...

What does it mean to be a good neighbour? Omar is joined by Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues’ Executive Director Laura Cunningham-Shpeley to explore what Edmontonians look for in their communities, the unique history of Edmonton’s community leagues and how we can all be better neighbours.  Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . --Credits-- Hosted by Omar Mouallem Produced by Odvod Medi...

Ahead of Edmonton’s municipal election in October, we’ve assembled a round table to discuss the upcoming mayoral race. Host Omar Mouallem is joined by podcaster Ryan Jespersen and writer and podcaster Dave Cournoyer look at the state of the city, who the candidates are and how the race is heating up (or not).  Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (02:03) - Another candidate enters the race (...

“No more crap.” Twenty years ago, then-mayor Stephen Mandel made waves for his comments on the sad state of Edmonton’s architecture.  Where are we today? We catch up with the former mayor to get his perspective. Next, we discuss the state of architecture in Edmonton and where the city is going, with architect and founding principal at Reimagine, Vivian Manasc.  Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram a...

Omar sits down with Edify and Odvod staff to share a few of their personal favourite things — the places, the views and the food that make Edmonton a special place. From the skyline to its neighbourhoods to that one perfect dish at a favourite restaurant, six staff share their favourite thing about Edmonton.  Kim picks Ritchie Marke. Caitlin picks Sol Revival Thrift. Steve picks Die Pie. Colton pi...

Editor-in-chief Omar Mouallem is joined by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association’s Puneeta McBryan and Ed Cyrankiewicz of Delnor Construction and the Pendennis Building for a conversation about the challenges facing Edmonton’s historic buildings — and the local business owners whose bold visions for revitalizing these buildings might give downtown a new lease on life. Read Areeha Mahal’s arti...

As the city grows and housing changes, more Edmontonians are choosing to rent. To break down the cultural, economic and policy forces behind this shift, Omar sits down with Dr. Damian Collins, a human geography professor from the University of Alberta. Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (00:59) - What is a human geographer? (02:20) - The rising cost of housing (07:55) - Aversion to home ow...

Madeline Belter and Chris Nicholas of NAC are back to chat with Trudy about the state of development in Edmonton and their vision for the capital region’s future. Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (00:53) - A new name (03:48) - A demand for change (09:04) - What does a developer do? (15:03) - Building outside Edmonton (23:45) - It’s Edmonton’s time --Credits-- Hosted by Trudy Callaghan  P...

Omar is joined by Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute CEO Cam Linke ( Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 , by the way!) to discuss Edmonton’s evolving place in the artificial intelligence ecosystem, and why Linke calls himself a technology optimist.   Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (02:13) - Machine learning moves fast (05:31) - Technology optimism (06:50) - Podcast in a podcast (12:06)...

Print isn’t dead. In this episode, Trudy welcomes Edify ’s new editor-in-chief, Omar Mouallem — and together they pull back the curtain on the editor/publisher distinction, the resurgence of magazines and their ambitious goals for Edify ’s future.  Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (03:52) - Welcome Omar (09:42) - Magazines are an experience (17:27) - Publishers and editors (24:39) - Jour...

When Edify staff invited Leduc Coffee Shop back for another Best Restaurants event, owner Karen Richert almost said no — but her daughter Anna convinced her to come back, with a new, truly local treat.  Host Trudy Callaghan and guest host Jennifer Walton pull back the curtain on our annual Best Restaurants event, and how it brings the Edmonton region’s culinary scene together.  Find Edify on Faceb...

From a less than stellar job interview to nearly 15 years as editor-in-chief, Steven Sandor has left his mark on Edify and Edmonton. In this episode, Trudy and Steven do a little reminiscing — and discuss where print journalism is heading.  Find Edify on Facebook , Instagram and X . (01:31) - How Sandor Got the Job (03:31) - The Evolving Beast of Print Media (08:34) - Winning as a Team (14:27) - H...

Sina Zere didn’t plan to be an entrepreneur. But when she saw a gap in Edmonton’s esthetics market, she opened her own wax bar, Buff Wax Spot. She joins Trudy and guest co-host Heather Thomson, Vice President of Economy and Engagement at Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for a lively conversation ranging from what sets Buff Wax Spot apart from the pack, why Sina will always stick to her inclusive busin...

If you live in Edmonton, chances are you know Amy Quon of The Lingnan and Chicken for Lunch. She’s also been named one of Edify ’s 6 Who Inspire 2025 . Amy joins Trudy and Steve to talk about the Lingnan’s history in the city and the place it has in the lives of Edmontonians.  6 Who Inspire honours community organizers, business owners, philanthropists and mentors who make Edmonton a great city to...

No one calls themselves anti-science. But there’s a lot of anti-science bias these days. Peek behind the curtain on a story from Edify ’s May edition, “The Battle for Truth” featuring former Edify cover star, author, professor and researcher at the University of Alberta Timothy Caufield. Tim joins Trudy and Steven to discuss the problems facing the scientific community, how journalism faces parall...

Whoever said “if you build it, they will come” didn’t know much about real estate development. Busting some myths about city building and discussing Edmonton’s growing pains, Chris Nicholas, President of MLC Group, and Madeline Belter, MLC Group's Marketing Manager talk with Edify magazine’s  Trudy Callaghan and Steven Sandor about the Edmonton advantage in a world of increasingly unaffordable big...

A Syrian refugee who turned his experience into service to other 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers. A world class brewer on Edmonton’s Happy Beer Street. Hear from two members of Edify ’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2024. First, hosts Trudy Callaghan and Steven Sandor chat with  Basel Abou Hamrah, founder of the Newcomer Centre’s Rainbow Refuge program. Basel Abou Hamrah tells of how he went from closeted refugee t...

Sarah Hamilton, an Edmonton City Councillor and member of the Top 40 Under 40 class of 2024, shares her surreal experience of being recognized on the list, her political journey that includes being the brunt of verbal insults and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her role in politics. She shares some insight into the role of councillors and why everyone needs to participate in the politi...