CREATE - The Podcast

Meet Robert Bruce McKay – President of Lloyd Bruce Home Collections| CREATE - The Podcast

Born and raised in British Columbia, Robert McKay has spent a lifetime surrounded by the province’s natural beauty and creative spirit. With deep family roots in Vancouver—his mother a Kitsilano High alumna and his grandmother an artist and early mentor—Robert grew up immersed in art, language, and culture. Those formative experiences, from visits to VanDusen Gardens to exploring the Museum of Anthropology, shaped his appreciation for aesthetics, storytelling, and the artistry of everyday life. After completing high school in the Okanagan, Robert returned to Vancouver, where a pivotal mentorship introduced him to the world of design—a journey that has now spanned nearly four decades. Today, as President of Lloyd Bruce Home Collections in Coal Harbour, he continues to lead with vision and craftsmanship, creating timeless interiors throughout Vancouver, Whistler, Alberta, and internationally. For Robert, design is more than a profession—it’s a way of seeing. He draws inspiration from the textures, light, and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, infusing each project with both beauty and soul. His work reflects a deep belief that the spaces we live in shape the lives we lead. Guest: * Robert McKay: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mckay3270/] | Contact: design@lloydbrucehome.com * Lloyd Bruce Home: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lloydbrucehome/] | Website [https://lloydbrucehome.com/]  Host: * Dillon Stecyk: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dial_dillon/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillonstecyk/]  CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/apres.collective] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@apres.collective] | Website [https://createpodcast.ca]

From the Ice to the Butcher Block: The Grit and Grind of Taras Foremsky | CREATE – The Podcast

Calgary-born Taras Foremsky went from chasing pucks to chasing perfection in the meat business. After an impressive hockey career that took him across North America and Europe — from the AJHL to Italy, Germany, and England — Taras traded his skates for a knife, buying out his father’s partners to build what’s now Prairie West Specialty Meats.  A proud husband to Heather and “girl dad” to Alexis and Berkley, Taras blends the discipline of a pro athlete with the creativity of an entrepreneur. Whether it’s premium cuts or new ventures like Cellar & Cut, he’s proof that hard work always finds new ice to skate on. Guest: * Prairie West Specialty Meats: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/prairie_west_meats/] | Website [http://www.soffritto.ca] Host: * Mark Kondrat: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/m.kondrat/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kondrat-aab92444/]  CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/apres.collective] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@apres.collective] | Website [https://createpodcast.ca]

Chasing the Last 5%: The Soffritto Story with Gordon Fontaine | CREATE – The Podcast

Gordon Fontaine is the founder and heartbeat behind Soffritto Calgary — a purpose-driven culinary business fueled by heart, hustle, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. A proud Calgarian with deep roots in hospitality, Gordon’s path has taken him from the lively chaos of Earls and Melrose Café to helping grow The Cash Store from 19 to 500 locations.  In 2010, he returned to his true passion — food and connection — launching Soffritto. Known for his sharp wit, big heart, and obsession with detail, Gordon keeps chasing improvement one sauté at a time. Guest: * Soffritto Calgary: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/soffrittocalgary/] | Website [http://www.soffritto.ca] Host: * Mark Kondrat: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/m.kondrat/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kondrat-aab92444/]  CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/apres.collective] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@apres.collective] | Website [https://createpodcast.ca]

Twists, Turns & Pretzels: Maria Chau’s Unexpected Journey

From law school to soft pretzels, Maria Chau’s journey is anything but ordinary. As co-founder of Zwick’s Pretzels, she’s spent the last eight years coaxing an unexpected pretzel phenomenon into a thriving, if unpredictable, business.  In this episode, Maria shares how an existential crisis, a taco bar, and a willingness to follow curiosity led her down an entirely new path. She talks about scaling chaos into structure, learning resilience through fire, and finding joy in the dance between uncertainty and purpose.  Equal parts introspective and funny, this is a story about life’s delicious detours — and how sometimes the best plan really is having no Plan B. Guest: * Zwick’s Pretzels l: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zwickspretzels/]  Host: * Mark Kondrat: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/m.kondrat/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kondrat-aab92444/]  CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/apres.collective] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@apres.collective] | Website [https://createpodcast.ca]

Dane Thorogood – Tee. Sip. Repeat. The Story Behind Templ | CREATE – The Podcast

From the fairways of Alabama to the foothills of Cochrane, Dane Thorogood has built a life around golf, family, and community. A former collegiate golfer turned golf course operator, Dane’s latest venture — Templ  [https://drinktempl.com/]— is rewriting the playbook for non-alcoholic beverages in Canada. As President of Templ, the Totem Charitable Foundation, and Totem Group, Dane blends business with purpose, pairing his entrepreneurial spirit with a deep love for family and giving back. In this episode, Dane opens up about chasing new horizons, navigating the unknown, and why curiosity fuels every great adventure. Guest: * Templ: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drinktempl/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-thorogood-36179324/]  Host: * Mark Kondrat: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/m.kondrat/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kondrat-aab92444/]  CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/apres.collective] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@apres.collective] | Website [https://createpodcast.ca]