CREATE - The Podcast

Jeff’s creative journey began behind the bar, where he started collecting bottle caps simply because he couldn’t bring himself to throw them away. Eighteen years later, those caps have become the foundation of a thriving art career—transforming waste into bold, eye-catching mosaics.  With over half a million caps repurposed, Jeff’s work now spans three continents, with clients including the Chicago Bulls, Labatt, the Blue Jays, and Joe Rogan. Before launching JAM full-time, Jeff built a varied creative background as a musician, actor, and marketing-minded problem solver. In 2021, he made the leap—leaving a stable job and stepping into the unknown to see if his art could support his family. Spoiler alert…it did! In this episode, Jeff shares how passion, persistence, and a little resourcefulness turned a bin of discarded bottle caps into a globally recognized brand—and what it means to bring everyday objects to life through art. Guest:  * Jeff Meszaros - JAM Bottle Cap Art: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jambottlecapart/?hl=en] | Website [https://www.jambottlecapart.com/] 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]

Since 1994, Max has called the Columbia Valley home – a place that mirrors his passion for the outdoors, people, and possibility. His career has been anything but conventional: from building homes and launching early internet companies to founding flight schools and competing four times in the gruelling Red Bull X-Alps [https://www.redbullxalps.com/int-en] adventure race. Today, Max wears many hats—realtor with Re/Max Invermere [https://www.remax.ca/bc/max-powers-p102428193-ag], paddling guide with Columbia River Paddle [https://columbiariverpaddle.com/], and chief instructor at flyingMax.com [https://flyingmax.com/], where he shares his love of paragliding and ultralight aviation. At the heart of everything he does is a drive to help others chart their course—whether that’s through buying a home, discovering adventure, or simply reconnecting with what matters. In this episode, Max reflects on loss, resilience, and how embracing a life of movement, curiosity, and connection continues to shape his evolving journey. Guest: * Max Powers: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/flyingmaxpowers/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/powers_maximilian/] | Website [https://www.monstersauce.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]

Peter started cooking at 14 and hasn’t looked back.  His work has earned him the title of Canadian Chef of the Year in 2020 and a spot on Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2022.  With experience in some of Canada’s top kitchens, international competition wins, and degrees in both culinary arts and business, his career bridges the worlds of food, entrepreneurship, and education. Today, Peter co-owns a trio of beloved Edmonton food ventures: Meuwly’s (specialty meats and charcuterie), The Hub (a restaurant incubator), and Beb’s Bagels (a rising star in the local food scene). He also serves as director of eHUB at the University of Alberta and teaches at the School of Business, mentoring the next generation of innovators. Beyond business, Peter is deeply invested in giving back. He chairs In The Weeds, a nonprofit supporting hospitality mental health, and sits on the boards of the Canadian Culinary Fund and Skills Alberta. In this episode, Peter shares his journey through kitchens, startups, and service—and why food, for him, has always been about connection and impact. Guest: * Peter Keith: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkeithyeg/] * Meuwly’s: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meuwlys/] | Website [https://www.meuwlys.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopNZcQR0dsPpGBAjJZVv8Gwiz7dt_mUBiABQcMNnY9LGTngbllu] * The Hub: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thehub.yeg/?hl=en]  * Beb’s Bagels: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bebsbagels/?hl=en] 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]

Meet Kelly Mandeville – Connector, Creator, and Co-Founder of Monster Sauce. With a background in film production, marketing, and brand storytelling, Kelly has spent her career building bridges between people, products, and purpose. After nearly a decade introducing Canadians to beloved craft breweries like Phillips and Beau’s, she co-founded Hop Forward—a nonprofit promoting inclusion and equity in the beer and hospitality industries. In 2021, Kelly and her partner turned their go-to pandemic comfort food into Monster Sauce, a bold, award-winning condiment brand featured in The Globe and Mail and Chatelaine. Their growing lineup now includes Shorty’s Hot Honey, a hit with pizza lovers nationwide. In this episode, Kelly talks about flavour, community, and the power of turning shared meals into something much bigger. Guest: * Kelly Mandeville: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mandeville/] * Monster Sauce: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monstersauceco/] | Website [https://www.monstersauce.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]

Meet Jochen Fahr, founder of Brauerei Fahr, the award-winning brewery celebrated for its authentic German beers.  Born and raised in Ebringen, Germany, Jochen’s love for brewing started early, influenced by his father’s work at the historic Fürstenberg Brewery. Years later, Jochen’s passion and appreciation for local farming converged in Alberta, where he established Brauerei Fahr in 2015. With a steadfast commitment to brewing “beer-flavoured” beer, Jochen brings the flavours of Germany to Canada, using local ingredients and traditional recipes to craft his beloved brews. But Jochen’s story goes beyond beer. After facing personal losses in 2023, including the passing of his brother to ALS and his father shortly after, Jochen found himself reevaluating life’s priorities. Determined to heal and rebuild resilience, he embraced fitness as a cornerstone of his wellness journey. From joining F45 workouts to taking on the HYROX fitness challenge and signing up for his first marathon, Jochen has learned the power of setting goals, finding balance, and prioritizing both mental and physical well-being. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Jochen shares his journey from scientist to brewmaster, his dedication to local farming and authentic brewing traditions, and how fitness and wellness have become essential ingredients in his life and business. Guest: Jochen Fahr: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jochenfahr/?originalSubdomain=ca] Fahr Beer: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fahrbrewery] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/fahrbeer/] | Website [https://www.fahr.ca/] Host: Mark Kondrat: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/m.kondrat/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kondratnetwork/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kondrat-aab92444/] | Website [https://www.kondratnetwork.com/] LMFAB Podcast:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/letsmeetforabeer/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@letsmeetforabeer] | Website [https://letsmeetforabeer.com/]