EP 17 | Tessa Virtue on Excellence, the Olympics, and Life After Sport

EP 17 | Tessa Virtue on Excellence, the Olympics, and Life After Sport

City Councillor Brad Bradford sits down with Olympic champion Tessa Virtue to talk about high performance, life after sport, and building a life in Toronto. From Olympic gold in Vancouver and Pyeongchang to becoming the most decorated Olympic figure skaters in history, Tessa Virtue helped define excellence in Canadian sport. In this conversation, she reflects on the discipline and resilience required to compete at the highest level, the lessons learned through partnership, and how elite athletes transition into life beyond competition. Filmed at the Toronto Cricket Club, this episode also explores Toronto as a home for world-class athletes, the culture of high performance, and how sport can inspire the next generation. For the Love of TO is a Toronto based podcast hosted by City Councillor Brad Bradford, featuring stories and voices shaping the future of our city.

EP 16 | BGC Toronto Kiwanis on Youth, Opportunity, and the Future

City Councillor Brad Bradford sits down with Greg Gary and Tricia Kennedy of BGC Toronto Kiwanis to talk about youth, opportunity, and building stronger communities in downtown Toronto. From Regent Park to Cabbagetown and St James Town, BGC Toronto Kiwanis provides safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, develop life skills, and find belonging. Greg and Tricia speak about youth employment, mental health, food insecurity, and the lasting impact of Covid on young people. They also discuss the future of the Cabbagetown Youth Centre, the importance of community fundraising, and why Toronto works because Torontonians make it work. This is a conversation about social infrastructure, leadership, and investing in the next generation. For the Love of TO is a Toronto-based podcast hosted by City Councillor Brad Bradford, featuring stories and voices shaping the future of our city.

EP 15 | Kay Edgecombe on Bringing Bahamian Culture to Toronto

Kay Edgecombe, founder and owner of Old Nassau Restaurant, shares her journey from the Bahamas to Toronto and what it means to build culture through food. In this conversation with City Councillor Brad Bradford on Weston Road, Kay talks about immigration, entrepreneurship, and why Toronto’s diversity makes it possible to celebrate your roots while building something new. From missing the food of home to becoming an ambassador for Bahamian culture, this is a story about belonging, risk, and pride in community. For the Love of TO is a Toronto based podcast hosted by City Councillor Brad Bradford, featuring stories and voices shaping the future of our city.

EP 14 | Jason McDonald on Little Jamaica, the Crosstown, and Saving Small Businesses

Jason McDonald, Chair of the Little Jamaica BIA and a small business owner on Eglinton West for more than 27 years, joins City Councillor Brad Bradford for a candid conversation from the heart of Little Jamaica. They talk about the cultural and economic importance of the Little Jamaica community, the devastating impact of the Eglinton Crosstown construction, and how hundreds of small businesses were pushed to the brink by years of delays and lack of accountability. Jason shares his personal story of entrepreneurship out of necessity, community organizing, and why he stepped up to lead the BIA during one of the most difficult periods for local businesses. The episode also explores broader questions about how governments plan major infrastructure projects, who gets consulted, and why cultural heritage districts deserve protection, transparency, and respect. It is a powerful look at resilience, community leadership, and what is at stake when cities fail the people who keep neighborhoods alive. For the Love of TO is a Toronto based podcast hosted by City Councillor Brad Bradford, featuring stories, ideas, and people shaping the future of our city.

EP 13 | Karen Stintz on Transit, Taxes, and Making City Hall Work

Karen Stintz joins City Councillor Brad Bradford for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, accountability, and how City Hall can better serve Torontonians. A former Toronto city councillor, TTC chair, and head of Variety Village, Karen reflects on her decade at City Hall, governing through major political transitions, and what it takes to deliver reliable city services. They dig into transit performance, snow removal, budget decisions, and why Torontonians feel like they are paying more but getting less. The conversation also looks at the rise of new taxes, the erosion of trust in local government, lessons from the Rob Ford and David Miller eras, and why strong leadership means focusing on execution, accountability, and the everyday experience of residents.  For the Love of TO is a Toronto based podcast hosted by City Councillor Brad Bradford, featuring stories, ideas, and people shaping the future of our city.