Hey, Downtown Van!

In this episode, hosts Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, to explore how tourism shapes the future of great cities. With decades of leadership experience, Royce shares insights on Vancouver’s evolving identity as a global destination and how visitor economies can strengthen both downtown vibrancy and community. Don't miss out on...

Catch the latest episode with Host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Kalith Nanayakkara and Bradley Hoy, Co-Founders of Plug Vancouver, a community built to connect, inspire, and empower Vancouver's young professionals, creators, and founders. They share the story behind the brand, the lessons learned from building a thriving community, and some of their most memorable experiences in enterta...

Join hosts Sofia Laratta and Downtown Van President & CEO Jane Talbot with special guest Luca Citton, President & Shareholder of Boughton Law, corporate lawyer, and community leader. Luca shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and community impact from more than 25 years in law. From navigating the pandemic as Board Chair of Downtown Van to helping shape major Vancouver initiatives, he...

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Maria, Founder of Art From The Heart Vancouver, to explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for connection, healing, and self-expression. Maria shares the inspirations behind creating inclusive, community-driven art experiences where people of all backgrounds feel welcome to explore the craft. Tune in to hear the most memorable moments and wha...

Hosts Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Vancouver-based developer and climate advocate Gabriel Dalton, President and Founder of Oasis of Change Inc. He shares how teaching himself to code at 10 and growing up on a boat shaped his vision for a more sustainable internet, along with insights from working with organizations like Microsoft and IKEA. From speaking as the youngest voice in the...

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Tanya Bennett, Owner of Vancouver Mysteries, an award-winning business creating engaging, puzzle-based adventures across downtown Vancouver. Tanya shares more about designing unforgettable experiences, the most unexpected moments from players, and the challenges of building and growing a creative business. Tune in to hear insights and advice for aspiring entrepren...

In this episode, Sofia Laratta and Jane Talbot sit down with Graham Blank, Vice President and Director of Tom Lee Music Canada, to explore his three-decade journey supporting musicians and shaping Vancouver’s music scene. He reflects on the evolution of Granville Street, shares memorable stories from the store, and discusses the importance of music to community and culture. The conversation also f...

Season 3 kicks off with host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Emad Yacoub, Founder, President, and CEO of Glowbal Restaurant Group. He shares how he built one of Vancouver’s most dynamic hospitality brands, growing it since 2002 into a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants that have become staples of the city’s dining scene. Tune in as he discusses how each concept maintains its own identity while...

Catch up with Sofia Laratta and Sheri Rowe, Director of Festival Operations at Just For Laughs Vancouver, as they explore behind the scenes of one of Canada’s premier comedy festivals. Sheri shares how the festival brings together top comedians and rising talent, and a sneak peek at this year’s downtown Vancouver lineup. From memorable moments to what sets the festival apart, Sheri reveals why Jus...

Explore the culinary world with Sofia Laratta and Chef Behshad, Executive Chef at C|Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine. With experience in international kitchens, he blends classic Italian techniques with modern, ingredient-driven creativity, sharing how he crafts signature dishes, leads his team, and brings a fresh vision to Vancouver’s dining scene.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Tara Armstrong and Michelle Lan, the founders of Armstrong + Lan PR, to explore the story behind their agency from the spark that started it all to the unique challenges and advantages of being women in business. Discover what PR looks like day-to-day, the surprising and creative moments behind their campaigns, and how giving back is an integral part o...

Tune in with Sofia Laratta and Ashley Chandler, Senior Manager of Programming & Events at Hudson Pacific Properties, as they explore how thoughtful activations turn office buildings into vibrant, connected communities. Ashley shares how tenant-focused events foster belonging, energize workplaces, and bring downtown Vancouver to life.

This week, host Sofia Laratta chats with FUNK Coffee’s Kurtis Warren and Luis Cervera about how the brand ignited a new wave of creativity in Vancouver’s specialty coffee scene. They break down the meaning behind their rebrand “It’s not just coffee, it’s a vibe.” and how that ethos shapes everything from sourcing to seasonal creations. Learn how the energy of their Dunsmuir Street café and their c...

Join host Sofia Laratta and Managing Partner at hcma, Darryl Condon, whose work champions the power of thoughtful design to foster belonging and strengthen community. Together, they explore why public space is essential to the health and identity of cities like Vancouver, and how inclusive design can help create a more vibrant, resilient, and connected urban future.

Join host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Chef Rob Feenie, Executive Chef of Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie. From his early training in Europe to leading some of Vancouver’s most celebrated kitchens, Rob reflects on the experiences that shaped his culinary journey. Tune in as he shares insights on creativity, mentorship, and the full-circle moment of returning to the restaurant where it all began.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with William Donnellan and Aaron Lacey from The IRL Group — one of Vancouver’s leading corporate groups with a dynamic footprint in hospitality, construction, and events. In this episode, they share their vision for revitalizing Granville Street, the growth of the Shamrock Storehouse franchise, and how they’re gearing up for the World Cup.

Join Host Sofia Laratta as she chats with Jared Byrne, founder of Pop Queen Cardio. Hear how Jared’s passion for fitness, dance, and pop culture inspired the creation of a vibrant community. Everything from challenges as a small business owner to empowering everyone to move with confidence and joy.

Join Sofia Laratta and Blueprint’s Director of Business Development, Nate Sabine, for an inside look at what it takes to shape Vancouver’s music and entertainment scene. From the city’s growing nightlife economy to how it stacks up against global hotspots, they dive into the evolution of Vancouver’s cultural identity -- one beat at a time.

Step into the world of sizzling teppanyaki and tradition with host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Dylan Bruser, owner of the iconic Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. In this lively conversation, Dylan shares what it’s like to grow up in the heart of the restaurant, how he’s honouring Kobe’s legacy while embracing modern dining trends, and his bold vision for the future of the brand. Don’t miss this f...

Host Sofia Laratta chats with Stacey Forrester, Co-Founder of Good Night Out Vancouver, about how they’re making nightlife safer through bystander training and community support. Tune in to learn more about the difference they’re making in downtown Vancouver and how we can all help make nights out better for everyone.

Join host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Grant Sceney, Creative Beverage Director of Botanist and Fairmont Pacific Rim for discussion on winning North America's 50 Best Bars award, misconceptions about bartending, and his passion for the creative beverage industry.

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Deb Lester, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver, for a powerful conversation about the organization's mission to support and protect vulnerable youth. Together, they explore the challenges, triumphs, and the transformative impact of Covenant House’s work in the community.

Join host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Flavio Caron of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. for a powerful discussion on Truth and Reconciliation in the workplace, as well as his personal journey as an Indigenous-Italian-Canadian navigating identity, education, and change.

Join host Sofia Laratta in conversation with Chef Alex Kim of Five Sails Vancouver as they dive into his gold-medal win at the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship, the music that fuels his time in the kitchen, and the culinary inspirations that have shaped his journey.

Join host Sofia Laratta as she chats with the hilarious Ola Dada about how he accidentally stumbled into stand-up—and never looked back. From unexpected beginnings to his spotlight moment on Canada’s Got Talent , this episode is full of laughs, surprises, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.