Advertise on podcast: 204 Rise

We sit down inside the Manitoba Legislative Building with Obby Khan, Leader of the Opposition, for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with representing an entire province. Walking through the historic halls of the legislature each day is something Obby says he never takes for granted, a reminder that the work being done inside those walls affects real people across Manitoba.We also get into the philosophy that guides the way he leads today. Obby talks about why disagreement isn’t something to fear, why listening to people with different perspectives is essential to progress, and how the idea of service, a value passed down from his father, continues to shape the way he approaches politics, business, and life.#204Rise #ObbyKhan #ManitobaPolitics #WinnipegPodcast #Leadership #PublicService #CanadianPolitics #CFL #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipMindset #PodcastEpisode

In this Episode of the 204Rise podcast we sit down with Margaux Miller to explore a question that feels more relevant than ever: how do we build real community in a world that’s constantly connected but increasingly isolated? Margaux shares why happiness and longevity are directly tied to the strength of our relationships, and why physical proximity, intentional time, and meaningful interaction still matter in ways technology can’t replace.From the psychology behind belonging to the 2,000-hour rule of deep friendships, we unpack what actually creates trust and participation. Margaux explains why most networking events struggle to create real connection, how communities like run clubs are reshaping social life, and why building belonging, whether in business or in life, requires structure, clarity, and intention.This conversation goes beyond surface-level connection. It’s about designing spaces where people feel seen, building environments that foster depth over noise, and recognizing that in an AI-driven world, human connection isn’t soft it’s strategic. If community is the foundation of everything we build, this episode is a blueprint for getting it right.#204Rise #MargauxMiller #CommunityBuilding #HumanConnection #LonelinessEpidemic #Leadership #PublicSpeaking #Networking #Entrepreneurship #Winnipeg #Belonging #ModernLeadership

Amie didn’t set out to build a gym as much as she set out to build a place where people felt seen, supported, and challenged in the right ways.In Episode 201, Amie Seier, founder of The Community Gym, walks us through the decisions that shaped her business long before the doors ever opened. Early pop-up classes and unconventional equipment choices eventually became the quieter leadership moments no one prepares you for, this conversation explores what it means to build culture with intention instead of chasing growth for growth’s sake.We talk about the mental load of leadership, the loneliness that can come with being the decision-maker, and why execution matters more than ideas once real people are counting on you. Amie opens up about fear, regret, and the internal pressure of choosing to act before certainty shows up. She also shares how hiring for balance, not duplication, helped shape a team and environment people genuinely want to be part of.#204Rise #CommunityGym #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #WinnipegBusiness #CultureBuilding #WomenInLeadership #CanadianPodcast

On episode 200 of the 204 Rise Podcast, we sit down with Michael Benarroch, President of the University of Manitoba, for a rare and candid conversation about leadership at scale. We ask the question, "what does it actually take to lead one of Canada’s largest public institutions?". Breaking down how a $1.1+ billion organization functions, how decisions are made when students, faculty, government, and the broader community are all impacted, and why rankings alone don’t define a great university. From navigating COVID, strikes, and campus safety, to fostering trust and encouraging honest feedback, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at leadership when the stakes are real and public. We also explore Michael’s personal journey, from once believing law school was his path, to discovering economics, to becoming president without ever chasing the title. #204Rise #LeadershipPodcast #UniversityLeadership #MichaelBenarroch #UniversityOfManitoba #PublicLeadership #HigherEducation #LeadershipAtScale #CanadianLeadership #WinnipegPodcast #DecisionMaking #InstitutionalLeadership #Episode200

200 episodes in and this conversation feels like a checkpoint, not a finish line.This episode is a reflection on the journey from episode one to episode 200. The evolution of the show. The moments that tested us. The ones that quietly shaped everything. From recording in small studios to centre court at Canada Life Centre, backstage at concerts, inside gyms, boardrooms, and places we were never thought we would be in, the podcast grew alongside us.We talk openly about what doesn’t make the highlight reels: burnout, self-doubt, the post-production grind, and the pressure of staying consistent when motivation dips. We reflect on lessons learned through repetition, confidence built over time, and friendships strengthened by choosing to keep going when things felt heavy.This episode is about growth in real time. About documenting the process instead of waiting for the outcome. About building better systems, better habits, and better perspective, not fewer dreams.This isn’t a victory lap.It’s a reminder of why we started and why we’re nowhere near done. #Podcast #Podcasting #PodcastLife #CreatorJourney #ContentCreators #LongFormContent #Consistency #BuildingInPublic #CreativeProcess #EntrepreneurMindset #MediaEntrepreneurs #WinnipegCreators #CanadianPodcast #204Rise

Kori Cuthbert is the founder of The Hive Climbing Gym, but the journey to opening Winnipeg’s first dedicated bouldering gym started long before the doors ever opened.In this episode of 204 Rise, Kori shares why traditional fitness often fails to keep people engaged and how climbing creates something different, community built through problem-solving, shared struggle, and trust. He talks about choosing Winnipeg as the place to build something that didn’t exist yet, walking away from the “what if” mindset, and taking on real financial risk to bring the vision to life.We get into going deep into debt, launching a physical space just as the pandemic hit, and the realities of building a business rooted in passion rather than trends. Kori also reflects on lessons from the mountains, fear management, patience, perspective, and near misses and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership and long-term growth.🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ [email protected]#204Rise #KoriCuthbert #TheHiveClimbing #WinnipegPodcast #CommunityBuilding #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #AlternativeFitness #FounderMindset #BuiltInWinnipeg

Tanisha Dhillon’s life didn’t follow a straight line and that’s exactly what makes her story powerful.In this episode, Tanisha opens up about betting on herself early, leaving university, and moving across the world alone to chase a dream she didn’t fully understand yet. From pageants and modeling to acting in Bollywood, launching businesses, and opening brick-and-mortar stores across Canada, she shares what it really looks like to build something from nothing.We talk about long nights before grand openings, constant problem-solving, navigating risk, family expectations, and the pressure of turning rare opportunities into real momentum. This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, and trusting yourself when there’s no clear roadmap.🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ [email protected]

Hitting one million followers sounds like the finish line, but Josh Anglo sees it very differently. In this episode of 204 Rise, Josh breaks down what actually goes into building an audience at scale and why consistency matters more than talent, luck, or perfection. Posting every single day at 5 p.m. became a non-negotiable discipline, not a strategy for virality, but a commitment to showing up even when motivation was gone. Josh opens up about dropping out of university, disappointing his parents, and making the decision to go all-in on content creation with no backup plan. He talks through his creative process under pressure, how he comes up with ideas when the tank feels empty, and why “done” will always beat perfect. We also unpack why follower count doesn’t equal influence, why he avoids the blue checkmark, and what actually builds long-term trust with an audience. The conversation goes deeper into the mental side of being a creator: burnout, obsession, sleep, validation, and learning how to stay grounded in a world that never logs off. This episode is about discipline, self-belief, and building something meaningful without letting numbers define your worth. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a goal that demands daily effort, this episode brings clarity to what consistency really costs and why it’s worth it.🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ [email protected]#MillionFollowers #BuildingInPublic #CreativeProcess #ShowUpEveryDay #DoneOverPerfect #DigitalCreator #SocialMediaGrowth #MindsetShift

Most people see Clairissa Cruz as the owner of four thriving Bare Body Sugaring locations and assume the journey was smooth. The reality is far different. In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Clairissa shares the full, unfiltered story behind building one of Winnipeg’s most recognizable beauty brands. She opens up about growing up in Manitoba Housing, starting her business from home with a baby by her side, and working 17–18 hour days just to survive. What followed were moments that nearly broke her including public backlash, burnout, and the darkest week of her life and the long road back to herself. We talk about how therapy, community, and her husband’s unwavering support helped her rebuild, the childhood hustles that shaped her work ethic, and the intentional choices behind creating the Bare Body Sugaring experience. At its core, this conversation is about more than business. It’s about motherhood, resilience, mental health, and building a workplace that feels safe, supportive, and human. This episode pulls back the curtain on what success really looks like, the pressure, the sacrifice, and the strength it takes to keep going when quitting feels easier. Clairissa’s story is a powerful reminder that the strongest people often carry the heaviest battles, and that meaningful businesses are built from purpose, not perfection.00:00 Intro & The Drive to Succeed02:00 Early Struggles & Motivation04:30 Building the Business: From Home to Four Locations10:30 Entrepreneurial Childhood & Grit15:00 The Grind & Balancing Family19:00 Mental Health, Setbacks & Cancel Culture25:00 Resilience, Therapy & Support Systems30:00 Intentions, Rituals & Workplace Culture35:00 Customer Experience & Genuine Connections40:00 Hiring, Training & Growing a Team45:00 Competition, Community, and Market Changes50:00 What is Sugaring & Setting High Standards54:00 Lessons in Leadership, Boundaries, and Advice01:00:00 Freedom, Giving Back & Parenting Values01:05:00 Recognition, Speaking, and Lasting Impact01:09:00 Final Reflections & Outro🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ [email protected] #204Rise #ClairissaCruz #BareBodySugaring #WinnipegBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FounderStory #Resilience #Motherhood #MentalHealthInBusiness #CanadianEntrepreneurs

What does it really take to build one of the fastest-growing chocolate brands in North America? In this episode, we sit down with Jake Karls, co-founder and chief storyteller of Mid-Day Squares. Jake opens up about the parts of the journey most entrepreneurs never share, heartbreak that reshaped his life, failed attempts that forced him to rebuild, losing himself along the way, and eventually discovering the role he was born to play. What started as a messy path of uncertainty led him to becoming the rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, helping turn the company into a brand that has sold over $65M worth of bars. We talk about why he struggled as CMO and how owning your weaknesses can unlock your real superpower, the moment he decided to bet everything on Mid-Day Squares, and the impact therapy had on saving the partnership, the business, and his closest relationships. Jake also opens up about the pressure of being “on” all the time, the loneliness behind constant travel, and the emotional cost of building a brand in public. If you’re obsessed with entrepreneurship, storytelling, personal growth, or watching the underdog fight their way forward, this conversation will hit you deeply and stay with you long after it’s over. #204Rise #JakeKarls #MidDaySquares #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #BrandBuilding #CMO #Storytelling #BusinessGrowth #FounderLife #CanadianEntrepreneurs #UnderdogStory #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthInBusiness #WinnipegPodcast #Motivation #BusinessPodcast #CreatorEconomy #LeadershipJourney #SuccessMindset

We sit down with Mady Kennedy to unpack her incredible journey to becoming an Ironman. What started as a desire to push herself in new and unexpected ways quickly turned into one of the biggest challenges of her life. Mady opens up about the training, the mindset, the discipline, and the moments where quitting would’ve been the easiest option, but never the right one. Her story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you refuse to give up on yourself and commit to something that most people would never attempt. This episode is about resilience, self-belief, and proving to yourself that the impossible is actually within reach. #204Rise #MadyKennedy #IronmanTraining #IronmanJourney #MindsetMatters #NeverQuit #AthleteStory #WinnipegPodcast #EnduranceAthlete #ChasingGoals

In this episode of 204 Rise, we sit down with Dr. Norman Silver and David Berkowitz, the founders of QDoc, a healthcare startup based right here in Winnipeg that’s changing the way people access care. Built out of the need for faster, more convenient medical attention, QDoc connects patients with licensed doctors virtually, helping reduce wait times and make healthcare more accessible for everyone. Dr. Silver and David share how their unique backgrounds, one in medicine, the other in business and technology, came together to build a solution for a system that desperately needed innovation. From the first idea to real-world impact, we talk about the lives QDoc has helped, the challenges of growing in the healthcare space, and the vision they have for the future of digital medicine in Canada. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build something that actually helps people, this conversation is proof that innovation can start right here in Winnipeg. #204Rise #QDoc #HealthcareInnovation #WinnipegBusiness #TechStartup #Entrepreneurship #DigitalHealth #CanadianCreators #WinnipegPodcast #FoundersStory

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Ramos better known as "Famos", founder of Saint Barber Shop and Saintuary Coffee, to talk about what it really takes to chase your vision and build something from the ground up. From building one of Winnipeg’s most recognized barbershops to cutting hair for celebrities, Famos shares the mindset behind taking risks and betting on yourself. We touch on his journey, navigating the challenges of the barbering scene to learning the realities of entrepreneurship and leadership. We talk about the sacrifices, the lessons, and the moments that shaped his identity as both a creative and a business owner. The conversation goes beyond business, diving into what it means to represent your city, build community, and create spaces that bring people together. With Saintuary Cafe & Bar now joining the Saint brand, Famos reflects on how he’s blending creativity, culture, and connection. 00:00 Life Lessons & Taking Risks03:00 No Regrets, Only Lessons04:44 Family Roots & Creativity10:10 Growing Up, Finding Barbering17:40 Early Struggles & Discoveries21:30 Moving, Networking & Social Media Growth27:00 Building a Brand & The 4AM Fade33:50 Barbershop Hustle & Reality TV41:00 Opening Saint & The Meaning of Community48:40 Starting Over: Building Sanctuary53:00 Lessons Learned & Business Advice58:00 Family Support, Identity & Impact01:05:40 Barbering, Creativity & Staying Humble01:13:00 Celebrity Clients & Building Relationships01:17:00 Closing Thoughts & Shout Outs #204Rise #ScottRamos #Famos #SaintBarberShop #SaintuaryCoffee #WinnipegBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BarberLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #WinnipegPodcast #CanadianCreators #PurposeDrivenBusiness

Behind every great idea lies a little bit of chaos and for Jay Hall, that chaos became the foundation of something extraordinary. In this episode, we sit down with Jay to talk about his journey from music production and event planning to becoming the mastermind behind one of Manitoba’s most ambitious horror experiences, Fear Winnipeg. What started as a wild idea for a zombie chase quickly turned into a massive community event that combined creativity, chaos, and purpose. Jay’s story goes far beyond haunted attractions though. He opens up about the challenges of building something from scratch, losing everything in a devastating fire, and finding the drive to rebuild stronger than before. From working on political campaigns and writing novels to leading advocacy groups for change across Manitoba, Jay’s career has been defined by resilience, innovation, and an unstoppable passion for creating experiences that make people feel. At its core, this conversation is about fear, not just the kind you experience in the dark, but the kind that comes with risk, reinvention, and following your vision when no one else can see it yet.#JayHall #FearWinnipeg #204Rise #WinnipegPodcast #ManitobaCreatives #EntrepreneurLife #LocalStories #EventProduction #HauntedAttraction #CreativeJourney #FearlessMindset #CommunityDriven #204Culture #Resilience #Inspiration

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn Black, founder of Sheepdog Brew Co, to explore the journey of building a brand rooted in community, service, and purpose. From humble beginnings selling coffee to friends and family, Shawn shares how Sheepdog grew from a small side project into a full-scale brewing company dedicated to creating quality cold brew and meaningful connections. We start by diving into how Sheepdog is changing coffee culture and building community, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the science and manufacturing of custom cold brew. Shawn opens up about starting Sheepdog from the ground up, the passion and sacrifices that came with entrepreneurship, and the defining moment when he decided to leave policing to pursue business full-time. The conversation unfolds into themes of balancing hustle and rest, finding personal flow, and how service remains at the heart of everything Sheepdog does. Shawn reflects on lessons from his policing career, the importance of inner drive and purpose, and the realities of failure, hiring, and building a trustworthy team. We also touch on the business side — breaking into retail, brand positioning, and how to stand out in the crowded CPG market. Shawn shares his thoughts on people, money, and respect in business, and how community, referrals, and loyalty have fueled Sheepdog’s growth. The episode closes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, reflections on giving back, and a powerful reminder that success is built through service, integrity, and staying true to what matters most. 00:00 Changing Coffee & Building Community 06:46 Custom Cold Brew: Science & Manufacturing 13:12 Starting Sheep Dog—Grassroots Beginnings 17:46 Passion, Sacrifice & Entrepreneurship 23:11 Making the Leap: From Cop to Coffee 32:00 Balancing Hustle and Rest—Finding Flow 39:36 Service, Meaning & Community Impact 43:54 Lessons from Policing & Staying Grounded 50:00 Inner Drive, Validation & Purpose 57:28 Failures, Hiring & Building a Team 01:02:00 Breaking Into Retail & Brand Positioning 01:15:00 People, Money & Respect in Business 01:25:00 CPG Market: Standing Out on Shelves 01:35:40 Community, Referrals & Brand Loyalty 01:45:00 Advice for Entrepreneurs & Looking Forward 01:53:00 Final Reflections & Giving Back 🔗 Connect with 204 Rise 🔗 ‣ https://linktr.ee/204Rise📻 Listen to us on the Radio Every Tuesday! 📻 ‣ https://umfm.com/programming.📧 Any business inquires, please email... 📧 ‣ [email protected]