Edify Unfiltered

Edmonton punches above its weight in industrial design — so why does the city fly under the radar? Onetwosix Design’s Nick Kazakoff joins Omar to discuss Edmonton’s design successes, challenges and what makes the city such fertile ground for designers and design companies to flourish.Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(00:42) - Introducing Nick Kazakoff (05:54) - The Loop (11:56) - Why stay in Edmonton? (17:10) - Great cities are built on great design (25:05) - Design Week marks 25 years --Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenProduction assistance by Caitlin HartOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

What does Edmonton’s film commissioner do? How is Edmonton’s film industry developing? And how does Edmonton Screen support emerging Edmonton filmmakers? Omar sits down with Dorian Rowe, Film Commissioner with Edmonton Screen, to discuss the art of filmmaking, supporting filmmakers and how the art form is growing in the city. Learn more about Edmonton Screen.Check out the Edmonton International Film Festival schedule. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(01:07) - Introducing Edmonton’s film commissioner, Dorian Rowe (04:00) - Momentum in Edmonton’s screen industries (10:01) - The collaborative nature of film (16:27) - Working with Calgary (21:18) - What festivals mean to the film industry --Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenProduction assistance by Caitlin HartOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

What does it mean to be a good neighbour? Omar is joined by Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues’ Executive Director Laura Cunningham-Shpeley to explore what Edmontonians look for in their communities, the unique history of Edmonton’s community leagues and how we can all be better neighbours. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenProduction assistance by Caitlin HartOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Ahead of Edmonton’s municipal election in October, we’ve assembled a round table to discuss the upcoming mayoral race. Host Omar Mouallem is joined by podcaster Ryan Jespersen and writer and podcaster Dave Cournoyer look at the state of the city, who the candidates are and how the race is heating up (or not). Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(02:03) - Another candidate enters the race (06:16) - How we got here (15:50) - What’s animating voters? (22:34) - Enter municipal parties (27:19) - Defining moments (33:49) - Anyone can run (44:26) - Playing matchmaker (52:04) - The election in one word --Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenProduction assistance by Caitlin HartOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

“No more crap.” Twenty years ago, then-mayor Stephen Mandel made waves for his comments on the sad state of Edmonton’s architecture. Where are we today? We catch up with the former mayor to get his perspective. Next, we discuss the state of architecture in Edmonton and where the city is going, with architect and founding principal at Reimagine, Vivian Manasc. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenProduction assistance by Caitlin HartOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Omar sits down with Edify and Odvod staff to share a few of their personal favourite things — the places, the views and the food that make Edmonton a special place. From the skyline to its neighbourhoods to that one perfect dish at a favourite restaurant, six staff share their favourite thing about Edmonton. Kim picks Ritchie Marke.Caitlin picks Sol Revival Thrift.Steve picks Die Pie.Colton picks people-sized architecture, especially bike trails and the accompanying benches.Trudy picks the skyline view of downtown from 98th Ave.Omar picks "booza" icecream at Cedar Sweets.Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Editor-in-chief Omar Mouallem is joined by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association’s Puneeta McBryan and Ed Cyrankiewicz of Delnor Construction and the Pendennis Building for a conversation about the challenges facing Edmonton’s historic buildings — and the local business owners whose bold visions for revitalizing these buildings might give downtown a new lease on life.Read Areeha Mahal’s article about restoring Edmonton’s historic buildings, Vintage Views, Modern Moves.Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--Credits—Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

As the city grows and housing changes, more Edmontonians are choosing to rent. To break down the cultural, economic and policy forces behind this shift, Omar sits down with Dr. Damian Collins, a human geography professor from the University of Alberta. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(00:59) - What is a human geographer? (02:20) - The rising cost of housing (07:55) - Aversion to home ownership (10:30) - Condomania (12:53) - Housing pathways (22:19) - What’s holding Edmonton back? (24:31) - Edmonton has a great story to tell --Credits--Hosted by Trudy Callaghan Produced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Madeline Belter and Chris Nicholas of NAC are back to chat with Trudy about the state of development in Edmonton and their vision for the capital region’s future.Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(00:53) - A new name (03:48) - A demand for change (09:04) - What does a developer do? (15:03) - Building outside Edmonton (23:45) - It’s Edmonton’s time --Credits--Hosted by Trudy Callaghan Produced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Omar is joined by Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute CEO Cam Linke (Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2011, by the way!) to discuss Edmonton’s evolving place in the artificial intelligence ecosystem, and why Linke calls himself a technology optimist.  Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(02:13) - Machine learning moves fast (05:31) - Technology optimism (06:50) - Podcast in a podcast (12:06) - Amii’s history (14:47) - Saying no (19:14) - Artificial intelligence is still evolving --Credits--Hosted by Omar MouallemProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Print isn’t dead. In this episode, Trudy welcomes Edify’s new editor-in-chief, Omar Mouallem — and together they pull back the curtain on the editor/publisher distinction, the resurgence of magazines and their ambitious goals for Edify’s future. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(03:52) - Welcome Omar (09:42) - Magazines are an experience (17:27) - Publishers and editors (24:39) - Journalism helps us understand our moment (30:27) - This magazine is a conversation --Credits—Hosted by Trudy CallaghanProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

When Edify staff invited Leduc Coffee Shop back for another Best Restaurants event, owner Karen Richert almost said no — but her daughter Anna convinced her to come back, with a new, truly local treat. Host Trudy Callaghan and guest host Jennifer Walton pull back the curtain on our annual Best Restaurants event, and how it brings the Edmonton region’s culinary scene together. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--From This Episode-- Edify's Best Dessert 2024(00:28) - Guest Host, Jennifer Walton (02:42) - Guests, Karen and Anna Richert of Leduc Coffee Shop (07:18) - The Life of a Coffee Shop Owner (11:26) - Supporting Local Business (16:04) - If One of Us Succeeds, We All Succeed (19:47) - Celebrating the Restaurant Scene --Credits—Hosted by Trudy CallaghanProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

From a less than stellar job interview to nearly 15 years as editor-in-chief, Steven Sandor has left his mark on Edify and Edmonton. In this episode, Trudy and Steven do a little reminiscing — and discuss where print journalism is heading. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.(01:31) - How Sandor Got the Job (03:31) - The Evolving Beast of Print Media (08:34) - Winning as a Team (14:27) - Holding to our Values (25:46) - Levelling the Ice --Credits—Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Sina Zere didn’t plan to be an entrepreneur. But when she saw a gap in Edmonton’s esthetics market, she opened her own wax bar, Buff Wax Spot. She joins Trudy and guest co-host Heather Thomson, Vice President of Economy and Engagement at Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for a lively conversation ranging from what sets Buff Wax Spot apart from the pack, why Sina will always stick to her inclusive business practices, and why clients don’t want to look at your family photos while they’re getting waxed. Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.--From This Episode-- Read about all the Edifier Awards winners in the Jan/Feb issue of Edify Magazine. (00:15) - - Meet Guest Co-host, Heather Thomson (03:22) - - Introducing Retail Maverick Sina Zere (05:39) - - Building a Client Base (08:22) - - Doing Business Differently (15:24) - - Inclusivity in Business (21:11) - - Creating the Right Client Experience (27:05) - - If I Could Turn Back Time --Credits—Hosted by Trudy Callaghan with guest co-host Heather ThomsonProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

If you live in Edmonton, chances are you know Amy Quon of The Lingnan and Chicken for Lunch. She’s also been named one of Edify’s 6 Who Inspire 2025. Amy joins Trudy and Steve to talk about the Lingnan’s history in the city and the place it has in the lives of Edmontonians. 6 Who Inspire honours community organizers, business owners, philanthropists and mentors who make Edmonton a great city to live in, and have done so for years, or even decades. It’s Edify’s way of celebrating the Edmontonians who are leading the way, exemplifying the energy, focus and innovation that builds us all up. Visit EdifyEdmonton.com  to read about Amy Quon and the five other honourees for 2025.Find Edify on Facebook, Instagram and X.Join the conversation on Edify's Instagram.--Read-- 6 Who Inspire 2025: Amy Quon6 Who Inspire 2025: Darrin Hagen6 Who Inspire 2025: Jeanne Lehman6 Who Inspire 2025: Jan Reimer6 Who Inspire 2025: Annette Trimbee6 Who Inspire 2025: Randy Gregg(02:26) - The Lingnan (07:27) - Nicknames (10:16) - Family in The Restaurant (16:41) - Surviving (22:38) - Chinese Food’s History and Evolution in Alberta (29:26) - Customers --Credits--Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

No one calls themselves anti-science. But there’s a lot of anti-science bias these days. Peek behind the curtain on a story from Edify’s May edition, “The Battle for Truth” featuring former Edify cover star, author, professor and researcher at the University of Alberta Timothy Caufield. Tim joins Trudy and Steven to discuss the problems facing the scientific community, how journalism faces parallel challenges and how we can all resist the rising tide of misinformation. Join the conversation on Edify's Instagram.--Read-- Read Harder Better Faster Stronger about Tim Caufield’s new documentary on EdifyEdmonton.com Read The Battle for Truth about science communication on EdifyEdmonton.comRead Style Q&A: Rock Star/Scientist on EdifyEdmonton.comTimothy Caulfield’s newest book, The Certainty Illusion: What You Don't Know and Why It Matters, comes out January 7, 2025Tim’s other books: The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness (Penguin 2012) Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash (Penguin 2015) Relax, Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety (Penguin Random House, 2020).--Credits—Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Whoever said “if you build it, they will come” didn’t know much about real estate development. Busting some myths about city building and discussing Edmonton’s growing pains, Chris Nicholas, President of MLC Group, and Madeline Belter, MLC Group's Marketing Manager talk with Edify magazine’s  Trudy Callaghan and Steven Sandor about the Edmonton advantage in a world of increasingly unaffordable big cities. --From This Episode--    Read Choose Your Own Way about MLC Group on EdifyEdmonton.comRead Edify's coverage of housing choices in Edmonton with The Beautiful South, published in the May issue of Edify.Join the conversation by commenting on Edify's Instagram.--Related Links--Hate Bike Lanes? Read This Now on EdifyEdmonton.comInfill Etiquette on EdifyEdmonton.comRise of the Rental on EdmontonEdmonton.comRetire In Place on EdifyEdmonton.comNot For Sale on EdifyEdmonton.comParks and Recreation on EdifyEdmonton.comUnderwhelmed on EdifyEdmonton.comMy Neighbour is a Total DINK on EdifyEdmonton.comIf I Had a Million Dollars… on EdifyEdmonton.comPretend It’s a City on EdifyEdmonton.comBoule-Gardening on EdifyEdmonton.com--Credits--Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

A Syrian refugee who turned his experience into service to other 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers. A world class brewer on Edmonton’s Happy Beer Street. Hear from two members of Edify’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2024.First, hosts Trudy Callaghan and Steven Sandor chat with  Basel Abou Hamrah, founder of the Newcomer Centre’s Rainbow Refuge program. Basel Abou Hamrah tells of how he went from closeted refugee to helping put Edmonton on the map for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees looking for a welcoming city. Then, listen to Doug Checknita, head brewer and blender at The Monolith. Doug takes the title of beer nerd to another level with his scientific approach to the brand’s Beer World Cup-winning barrel-fermented beer. Buy tickets to Top 40 Under 40 now.Read Basel Abou Hamrah's Top 40 profileRead Doug Checknita's Top 40 profileSee the Top 40 Under 40 class of 2024Comment on Edify's Instagram--Related Links--Edmonton Wins the World Cup (of Beer)--Chapters-- (00:11) - Top 40 Under 40 Event Preview (03:21) - Basel Abou Hamrah's Story (11:02) - Rainbow Refuge Achievements (18:21) - Doug Checknita's Journey in Beer Making (25:55) - Education and Research in Brewing (28:24) - Winning Worldwide (34:20) - Doug's Reflections and Future Plans --Credits—Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Sarah Hamilton, an Edmonton City Councillor and member of the Top 40 Under 40 class of 2024, shares her surreal experience of being recognized on the list, her political journey that includes being the brunt of verbal insults and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her role in politics. She shares some insight into the role of councillors and why everyone needs to participate in the political process.See the list of Top 40 Under 40s 2024Read Sarah Hamilton's Top 40 Under 40 profile.Join the conversation on Edify's Instagram.--Chapters--(00:13) - Sarah Hamilton is a Top 40 (03:20) - The Start of Her Career (04:49) - Political Vision (12:46) - Balancing Work and Personal Life in Politics (18:32) - City Challenges and Budget Constraints (21:21) - Comparing Current and Previous Councils (31:40) - Future Plans and Political Aspirations (32:32) - The Role of Media and Public Discourse --Credits--Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen

Heather Thomson, a former Top 40 Under 40 honouree and vice president of strategy, research, and engagement at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce joins Trudy and Steven to talk about the experience as a judge for the 2024 Top 40 Under 40 awards. Heather shares her thoughts on the rigorous judging process and provides an insider’s look at how it all works. She also reflects on the celebratory nature of the event and together they discuss the significance of the Top 40 list in showcasing Edmonton's vibrant community.See Top 40 Under 40sRead Heather Thomson's Top 40 Under 40 profileJoin the conversation by commenting on Edify's Instagram--Chapters--(00:25) - Heather Thomson's Introduction and Top 40 Experience (02:26) - Steven Sandor's Role (07:42) - Heather Thomson is a Judge (09:14) - The Judging Process and Initial Eliminations (16:17) - Challenges and Rewards of Judging (22:21) - Finalizing the Top 40 (28:49) - Reflections on the Judging Experience (36:23) - Close --Credits—Hosted by Trudy Callaghan and Steven SandorProduced by Odvod MediaAudio Engineering by Steve GlenOriginal music by Darrin Hagen