Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich

What happens when humour becomes a bridge—not a shield? In this episode of Ship of Fools , we sit down with Trevor Jang —a journalist-turned stand-up comedian, award-winning writer, and Indigenous & Chinese-Canadian storyteller using comedy to explore identity, recovery, and being truly seen. Trevor shares how humour became a tool rather than a defense mechanism, how he learned to talk about r...

In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast , Steven Malkowich sits down with Chris Voute , founder of Lumera Solar . Chris shares his self-taught journey into solar, the birth of Lumera, and why he chose to manufacture solar products in British Columbia instead of China . The conversation also explores whether solar is truly practical for off-grid living in Canada , common misconceptions about solar...

In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast , we speak with Dave Armstrong , founder of CS Designs , about the real-world impact tariffs have on small businesses. Dave shares firsthand insight into how importing and exporting have become more complex, expensive, and unpredictable — and how those pressures ripple through pricing, operations, and long-term planning. This is an honest, ground-level conv...

What does it take to build something that truly lasts? In this episode, Troy Van Vliet shares the personal journey behind the creation of Saint John Paul II Academy’s permanent campus in South Surrey. From growing up in a family of builders to leading a complex, community-driven project through years of challenges, Troy reflects on leadership, responsibility, and the importance of building with pu...

Alex Alegria — the “King of Mariachi” and founder of Los Dorados — joins us for the first-ever live in-studio performance on the Ship of Fools Podcast. He shares his journey from Oaxaca to Vancouver, his impact on multicultural music in Canada, and how Los Dorados built a powerful community through mariachi. Learn more about Los Dorados: https://www.losdoradoscanada.com/

Is the FIFA World Cup worth the massive price tag for Vancouver? Soccer coach Ray Goldenchild breaks down the rising costs, the risks to taxpayers, and what the event could mean for local soccer. Soccer coach and Orix Academy founder Ray Goldenchild joins us for a candid conversation about the rising costs, the public risks, and whether the tournament will bring real value to the community. Ray br...

This episode explains the Cowichan title ruling, what it does and does not change for private land titles , why the Province — led by Premier David Eby — has filed an appeal, and how this could affect property rights, lending, insurance, and development decisions across B.C. Guest Adam Pankratz also shares why th⁠e Public Land Use Society (PLUS ) ⁠ was created and how British Columbians can engage...

Follow the Ship of Fools Podcast — Where Wit Meets Wisdom. Honest conversations. Sharp perspectives. Stories that shape Canada. In this episode, Rod Giltaca , CEO & Executive Director of the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights , joins Steven Malkowich for a candid conversation about one of the most polarizing issues in the country: Canada’s firearms debate. Rod shares why he founded the CCF...

Subscribe to Ship of Fools Podcast — Where Wit Meets Wisdom. Real conversations. Real people. Real stories that hit harder. From Olympic heartbreak to world-title glory, Manny Sobral’s story proves that true champions never stop fighting. Host Steven Malkowich sits down with the IBO World Champion and 1988 Olympian for an unforgettable conversation about grit, redemption, and finding purpose beyon...

The countdown you weren’t supposed to hear — Canada’s Top 10 Political Fools, exposed one by one. Who are Canada’s biggest political fools of 2025 ? Host Steven Malkowich is joined by Carson Binda , BC Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation , for a no-holds-barred countdown of government blunders, wasted millions, and the year’s most outrageous examples of political foolishness. From billio...

From East Vancouver to communities across the Lower Mainland, Jesse Johl is proving what real volunteerism looks like. As the founder of the Queen Elizabeth Lions Club , Jesse leads a team of volunteers who collect and deliver thousands of pounds of food to families in need — all without government funding, pay, or red tape. In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast , Jesse shares how he’s turn...

In this episode, Connor Robinson of the Colorado Mammoth (NLL) joins us to talk about the fast, physical, and wildly underrated world of box lacrosse . From growing up in New Westminster to turning pro in the National Lacrosse League , Connor shares his journey, the intensity of the sport, and why lacrosse deserves way more love in Canada and beyond. Topics include: The grit and speed that define...

In this episode, Connor Robinson of the Colorado Mammoth (NLL) joins us to talk about the fast, physical, and wildly underrated world of box lacrosse . From growing up in New Westminster to turning pro in the National Lacrosse League , Connor shares his journey, the intensity of the sport, and why lacrosse deserves way more love in Canada and beyond. Topics include: The grit and speed that define...

Growing up in Abbotsford, B.C. during a turbulent era taught Brayden Sutton that risk and resilience often go hand in hand. In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast, Brayden reflects on his early years surrounded by chaos, how those experiences shaped his perspective on life and business, and his path from early ventures in the cannabis industry to leading in capital markets today. Now the CEO...

After moving to Canada, Dr. Iman Tabani traded the lab coat for a beekeeping suit — and discovered that raw honey may be one of nature’s most powerful healing tools. In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast , Dr. Tabani shares how his passion for health and science led him to start BCB Honey Farm , and how local honey might help reduce allergies , support immunity , and improve overall well-be...

She’s the voice that broke barriers in the ’80s rock and metal scene. Known worldwide as the “Metal Queen,” Canadian icon Lee Aaron has lived a career full of highs, reinventions, and lessons in survival in an industry that wasn’t always welcoming to women. In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast, Steven Malkowich sits down with Lee Aaron for a raw and revealing conversation about:🎤 The maki...

On this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast, host Steven Malkowich welcomes Jason Mann, Jacob Snow, and Jeevan Dhaliwal—three highly trained heavy-duty mechanics—for a raw, satirical, and eye-opening conversation about dumptrucks, trucking safety, and industry oversights and how important the entire trucking industry is to our Canadian economy. From shocking shop-floor stories to laugh-out-loud s...

Ever wonder where your tax dollars really go? In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast, host Steven Malkowich sits down with Carson Binda, BC Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, for a candid conversation on government waste, taxpayer accountability, and why every Canadian should care about how public money is spent. From eyebrow-raising spending reports to bureaucratic inefficienci...

How do you go from a small Italian town to animating for Marvel, DC, and major Hollywood films? In this episode, we sit down with 3D animator Enrico Fioretti , whose work includes Alita: Battle Angel , Captain Marvel , Justice League , and more. We explore how he broke into the visual effects industry, built his career at studios like ILM and Wētā Digital, Netflix and what it takes to succeed in t...

Can marine electrification catch up with the automotive world? In this episode of Ship of Fools, we sit down with Natasha Chawla, VP of Sales and Marketing at ACEL Motors, to talk about the breakthrough electric propulsion technology that’s redefining what’s possible on the water. Imagine Tesla-level performance—on a boat. ACEL Power is making it real, with a stackable, modular battery system buil...

In this episode of the Ship of Fools Podcast, host Steven Malkowich sits down with Vancouver-based musician and writer John Cody to explore his pivotal role in the creation of “Happy Forever, My Musical Adventures with the Turtles, Frank Zappa, T.Rex, Flo & Eddie, and more" and the definitive portrait of Mark Volman—aka Flo of The Turtles, who appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show show twice. Cody...

Into the Quantum Frontier with Dr. Adrian Bulzacki, M.Eng., Ph. D. What is quantum computing — and why does it matter now? Join host Steven Malkowich as he welcomes Dr. Adrian Bulzacki, a tech visionary, entrepreneur, and investor who's bridging the gap between mind-bending science and practical innovation. From his work as founder of ARB Labs—leading advancements in gesture recognition and casino...

This week on Ship of Fools, we sit down with Dr. Taylor Burkinshaw—a Canadian Doctor of Chiropractic based in South Surrey, BC at Grandview Health Group who isn’t just about adjustments, but about asking deeper questions. From navigating the intense Canadian chiropractic program to exploring the limits of what rehab and therapy should look like, Dr. Burkinshaw brings a fresh, no-BS perspective to...

What happens when you combine a sharp political mind, decades of research on terrorism and media, and a willingness to question the narratives we’ve grown comfortable with? You get this episode. We sit down with Dr. Aaron Hoffman, Professor of Political Science at Simon Fraser University and one of the leading voices on how the media shapes our understanding of international security. His latest b...

This week, Steven Malkowich sits down with Jacob Soukoreff — Red Seal carpenter and principal of Westmont Projects — to talk about why building a home has become such a bureaucratic, expensive, and often soul-crushing journey. Coming from four generations of German carpenters, Jacob brings not only expertise but a boots-on-the-ground perspective on what’s gone wrong with housing in British Columbi...