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Hey, Downtown Van!
Downtown Van
38 episodes
6 days ago
Get ready to discover the best of downtown Vancouver with our brand-new podcast, "Hey, Downtown Van!" hosted by the Downtown Van Business Improvement Association. In each episode, we'll chat with local business owners, influencers, and community leaders, to bring the latest insights and trends shaping the downtown landscape. Whether you're looking for business advice, your new favourite lunch spot, or want to learn more about the people and places that make this city great, we've got you covered.
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Business
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All content for Hey, Downtown Van! is the property of Downtown Van and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Get ready to discover the best of downtown Vancouver with our brand-new podcast, "Hey, Downtown Van!" hosted by the Downtown Van Business Improvement Association. In each episode, we'll chat with local business owners, influencers, and community leaders, to bring the latest insights and trends shaping the downtown landscape. Whether you're looking for business advice, your new favourite lunch spot, or want to learn more about the people and places that make this city great, we've got you covered.
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Business
Episodes (20/38)
Hey, Downtown Van!
IRL Group: Building Bridges from Ireland to Vancouver

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.

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2 weeks ago
57 minutes 39 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Jared Byrne: Main Character Moves

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.

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1 month ago
37 minutes 31 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Nate Sabine: Does Vancouver Have a Nightlife Scene?

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.


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1 month ago
46 minutes 17 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Dylan Bruser: The Family Behind the Flame

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 flavourful journey behind the scenes of a beloved culinary institution.

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2 months ago
22 minutes 39 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Stacey Forrester: Making Your Night Out Better

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.

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2 months ago
47 minutes 53 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Grant Sceney: The Brains Behind Botanist Bar

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.

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3 months ago
38 minutes 3 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Deb Lester: Building a Future for Vulnerable Youth

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.

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3 months ago
47 minutes 2 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Flavio Caron: Truth and Reconciliation in the Workplace

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.


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4 months ago
58 minutes 36 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Chef Alex Kim: Taking Home the Gold

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.

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4 months ago
28 minutes 43 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Ola Dada: Accidentally Hilarious

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.

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5 months ago
43 minutes 28 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Stuart McNish: A Conversation That Matters

Join host Sofia Laratta for an insightful conversation with Downtown Van President and CEO, Jane Talbot, and special guest Stuart McNish — acclaimed journalist and host of Conversations That Matter. Tune in as they delve into the world of journalism, exploring what it takes to succeed in the field, and revealing Stuart’s dream interview guests.

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5 months ago
47 minutes 7 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Kendall Gender & Tommy D: Spilling Tea and Standing on Business

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Canada's Drag Race finalist Kendall Gender and Tommy D of TFD Presents. They spill the tea on what it really takes to thrive as a queen in the business, reflect on the highs and twists of reality TV, and share what it's like building an empire together as true business besties.

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6 months ago
53 minutes 18 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Daniela Dib: From Pirouettes to Pedals

Join your host, Sofia Laratta, for an inspiring conversation with Daniela Dib, Founder of DibFit Cycle. Tune in as they explore Daniela's incredible journey from New York to LA to proud boutique fitness owner in downtown Vancouver.

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6 months ago
35 minutes 7 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Jon Scholes: What Makes a Downtown Delightful?

Join host Sofia Laratta for an insightful conversation with Jane Talbot, President and CEO of Downtown Van, and Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association. Tune in as they explore the shared characteristics of these cities, the vitality of Seattle's downtown core, and what truly makes a downtown "delightful."

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6 months ago
1 hour 23 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Neesha Hothi: Vancouver JUNOS Week and What to Expect

Join host Sofia Laratta as she sits down with Joshua Davidson, Director of Operations at Downtown Van, and Neesha Hothi, Director of Communications and Marketing for the Vancouver JUNO Host Committee. Tune in for an exclusive conversation about the exciting lineup of events happening during JUNOS Week in downtown Vancouver!

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7 months ago
30 minutes 20 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Joanna Jagger: Inspiring Women in Tourism & Hospitality

In the Season 1 finale, hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard sit down with Joanna Jagger, Founder and President of the WORTH Association (Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality), a trailblazing organization committed to empowering women and advancing gender equality in the industry. Tune in for an insightful conversation on women in leadership and how we're challenging the status quo of gender inequality in the workplace.

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8 months ago
35 minutes 57 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Daniella Atkinson: Street Interviews and Internet Trolls

Host Sofia Laratta sits down with Claire Leonard, Placemaker at Downtown Van, and Daniella Atkinson, a Vancouver-based creator known for her viral 'How Much Do You Make for a Living?' street interviews. Tune in for an engaging conversation about life as a Vancouver influencer, the challenges of cyberbullying, and much more!


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8 months ago
37 minutes 43 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Tania Richards: Elevating Rugby Canada on the World Stage

Hosts Sofia Laratta and Claire Leonard are joined by Tania Richards, Rugby Canada's Managing Director of Commercial, Marketing & Communications. With the Vancouver Sevens on the horizon, they discuss the tournament's impact on the city and Canada's growing influence in the world of rugby.


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8 months ago
38 minutes 35 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Bert Hick: Navigating the Tides of Liquor & Cannabis Licensing

On this episode, host Sofia Laratta sits down with Jane Talbot, President & CEO of Downtown Van, and Bert Hick, Founder & President of Rising Tide Consultants. Together, they delve into the complexities of navigating the cannabis and liquor licensing industries, sharing insights and experiences from their unique perspectives.

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9 months ago
44 minutes 34 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Sophia Cheng: Your Go-To Girl For Anything PR

In this episode, host Sofia Laratta sits down with her name twin, Sophia Cheng, for an insightful and engaging conversation about the world of public relations, the impact of local businesses, and the influence of online reviews.

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9 months ago
44 minutes 11 seconds

Hey, Downtown Van!
Get ready to discover the best of downtown Vancouver with our brand-new podcast, "Hey, Downtown Van!" hosted by the Downtown Van Business Improvement Association. In each episode, we'll chat with local business owners, influencers, and community leaders, to bring the latest insights and trends shaping the downtown landscape. Whether you're looking for business advice, your new favourite lunch spot, or want to learn more about the people and places that make this city great, we've got you covered.