Neighbour Studio

Host Myles Doak sits down with Caroline Mulroney, MPP for York–Simcoe and Ontario’s President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs. In this special episode marking International Women’s Day, Mulroney discusses the importance of women’s empowerment, leadership, and creating opportunities for women in politics, business, and communities across Ontario. The conversation explores...

Host Myles Doak sits down with Marco Di Girolamo, Canadian rugby standout, community builder, and Aurora Sports Hall of Fame inductee, for a powerful conversation about sport, perseverance, and legacy. From discovering rugby in high school to representing Canada on the world stage, Marco shares the journey that took him from local fields to international competition, including the Rugby World Cup,...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Jennifer Walker, a Certified Financial Planner with more than three decades of experience in the financial and insurance industry. Jennifer shares her journey from beginning her career with Canada Life in 1990 to building long-standing client relationships at Carruthers Financial, where she specializes in employee ben...

In this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with John Taylor, Mayor of Newmarket, to reflect on the year that was and look ahead to what’s next for the community. The conversation explores key moments and milestones from 2025, including local growth, community initiatives, infrastructure projects, and the evolving priorities shaping Newmarket’s future. Mayor Taylor...

In this episode, Rachel Hawtin of NewRoads Automotive Group is joined by  Barb Wallace, the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of York Region, to talk about the upcoming Girls Night Out (GNO) signature event. Taking place March 5 at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, this special evening celebrates International Women’s Day while bringing the community together for connection, inspiration, and imp...

In this powerful episode of Ancestral Voices We Belong, host Kim Wheatley welcomes Jessa Sky, a Métis Cree singer, keynote speaker, and advocate whose story is rooted in resilience, healing, and cultural reconnection. Originally from Treaty 8 territory and born in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Jessa shares her journey of growing up between communities while searching for identity and belonging. Opening...

In this episode of Ancestral Voices We Belong, host Kim Wheatley sits down with Isaac Crosby, also known as Brother Nature, a Black/Ojibwa agricultural expert dedicated to preserving and sharing Indigenous food knowledge. Rooted in his heritage as a member of the Ojibwas of Anderdon — a pre-confederation community of mixed Black and Indigenous peoples near Windsor, Ontario — Isaac’s journey began...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Phiona Durrant and Michael Corniffe,  two dynamic leaders making a powerful impact in our community. Phiona Durrant, President and Founder of the Aurora Black Community Association, is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate whose work is grounded in equity, purpose, and people-first leadership. She shares...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Kumssa Hassan, Managing Partner at Billyard Insurance Group Aurora (BIG Aurora). With over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Kumssa has built a reputation as a trusted advisor dedicated to providing peace of mind for both individuals and businesses. As a leader, she is passionate about building a strong...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Robert Lyons, a creative liaison who prefers to think of himself as a perpetual wanderer, creative mastermind, and lifelong learner. Robert thrives at the intersection of curiosity, strategy, and execution. From exploring the natural world to navigating the marketing landscape, he’s driven by a fascination with complex...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Derek Andrews , Performing Arts Manager, for an inside look at the Aurora Blues Festival and what makes it one of the community’s most anticipated summer events. 🎶🎤 Derek takes listeners behind the scenes, sharing how the festival comes together, from curating an exciting lineup of blues talent to creating an atmos...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Melanie Muirhead, a dedicated social services worker and advocate with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. A proud Durham College alumna, Melanie has spent her career working on the front lines of care, providing compassionate support in a var...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Derek Andrews, Performing Arts Manager, to talk all about the upcoming Aurora Blues Festival. 🎶🎸 Derek shares what makes the Aurora Blues Festival a must-attend summer event, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the planning, the performers, and the community spirit that brings the festival to life each year. From cel...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Gina Livy, CEO of Weight Loss by Gina , #1 bestselling author, podcast host, and creator of the Livy Method .   Recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women (Top 100) , Gina has built a movement around sustainable weight loss and real-life wellness. Her approach focuses on mindset, consistency, and long-term resul...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Dr. John Ryan Lau from Align Health Centres, specializing in naturopathic care.   Dr. Lau is passionate about helping patients take a proactive, holistic approach to their health. In this conversation, he shares how naturopathic care can support senior health , men’s health , and overall wellness through personalized,...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Kevin Hennessy, President and CEO of Summer Skates. Kevin shares his dynamic career journey, reflecting on the many roles and industries he’s navigated on his path to entrepreneurship. From his time at Hallmark to leading Summer Skates, Kevin discusses the experiences that shaped his leadership style and ultimately insp...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with cover feature Milton Hart: Olympian, educator, community leader, and Hall of Fame athlete.  Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Milton’s journey is one of resilience and relentless determination. From being cut from his high school track team to becoming a champion sprinter, Jamaican Olympic bobsledder, and later a...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas for an in-depth conversation about the past year in the Town of Aurora. Mayor Mrakas reflects on the key moments, challenges, and accomplishments that shaped the year, offering insight into how Aurora continues to grow and evolve. From community priorities and local initiatives to the realities...

Join us for a special episode of Conversations with Neighbours as host Myles sits down with MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy to reflect on a huge year for Newmarket–Aurora, from her re-election to major community investments in healthcare, housing, seniors, and more. In this candid conversation, Dawn shares what it meant to be re-elected, the reality of campaigning during February’s brutal winter, and th...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Maria Vitoria Costa from Tax Partners, a firm with a long-standing reputation for trusted accounting and tax services across the Greater Toronto and York Region areas. For more than 38 years, Tax Partners, along with its predecessor principals and associates, has supported a diverse client base with accounting, tax prep...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Rachel Hawtin, Brand Manager & Community Liaison at NewRoads Automotive Group. 🚗✨ With over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and event management, Rachel brings a dynamic blend of creativity, strategy, and community connection to everything she does. A proud OCAD graduate, she has...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Shelagh Cummins, a powerhouse business strategist and champion for women entrepreneurs. 🚀✨ Shelagh is the creator of The FUEL Mastermind and the Life-Fuel Business Lounge, programs designed to help women scale their businesses profitably while gaining more time, revenue, and freedom. As the founder of Capital Acces...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak sits down with Scott Johnston, a veteran cartoonist and proud member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists and the National Cartoonists Society.   Scott has been drawing for as long as he can remember and has spent more than 25 years creating editorial cartoons for a local newspaper. Through ink and imagination, he’s captured...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Myles Doak is joined by Shai and Danny Samuelson of Harbor Painting Co. Inc. 🎨🏡 Harbor Painting Co. isn’t just about fresh coats of paint; it’s about respect, care, and craftsmanship. Shai and Danny share how they built a business rooted in treating every home and workplace as if it were their own, with a focus on cleanliness, precision, an...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours , host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Shivani Persad, digital creator, brand marketer, and the voice behind liveshiv and New to Newmarket . ✨📱📍 A 30-something new to the area, Shivani has quickly become a go-to guide for discovering the best of Newmarket and Aurora. From hidden gems to cozy cafés to standout small businesses, she’s made it her mis...