CREATE - The Podcast

Hosted by Mark Kondrat - Entrepreneur & Podcast Host

Business Society Culture ScienceInterviews guests

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Episodes

171

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

CREATE - The Podcast is all about sharing uplifting stories of creative people - entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, community leaders and more. Episodes release every Wednesday!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 20, 2026Episode 3950 min

Tannis Baker - Building Community Through Food Culture | CREATE - The Podcast

Tannis Baker is the co-founder of Food Tourism Strategies and one of Canada’s leading advocates for culinary and agritourism. Through initiatives like Terroir Symposium and Alberta Open Farm Days, she helps connect chefs, farmers, foragers, producers, and communities through food, culture, and storytelling. Named one of Alberta Venture Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Albertans, Tannis is passionate about showcasing Alberta’s incredible ingredients and helping build meaningful food experiences that strengthen local communities and tourism. On this episode of the CREATE Podcast, we explore collaboration, culinary tourism, and the power of food to bring people together. Guest:Tannis Baker: Instagram | Terroir Symposium | Food Tourism Strategies | LinkedInHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

May 6, 2026Episode 3858 min

Greater Than Fear: Cory Davison’s Journey of Reinvention | CREATE - The Podcast

Cory Davison is an entrepreneur, author, and community builder who has rebuilt her life and career with purpose. Born in Honduras and now based in Calgary, she is the founder of 4Xperience and creator of The 4X Method, helping organizations break down silos and align their customer, employee, brand, and product experiences for growth.She is also the founder of SHE Community, a platform supporting women entrepreneurs through connection and growth. Through her work and upcoming book Greater Than Fear, Cory shares a powerful belief: fear isn’t the enemy—it’s the teacher.At her core, Cory is driven by curiosity, creativity, and helping others grow with clarity and courage.Guest:Cory Davison: Instagram | The 4X Method - Website | SHE Community Website | LinkedInHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

April 29, 2026Episode 3738 min

From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Kent Swanlund’s CO2Brew Journey | CREATE - The Podcast

Kent Swanlund is the CEO & Co-Founder of CO2Brew, a company bringing sustainable innovation to the brewing industry. A chemical engineering graduate from the University of Calgary, he began his career in process engineering at Worley before spending a decade in technical sales at Spartan Controls.A “nerd at heart who enjoys beer,” Kent’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked by a conversation with a local brewer that revealed a real opportunity to solve CO₂ challenges in the industry. Since going full-time with CO2Brew in 2024, he’s been driven by continuous learning, problem-solving, and a passion for building something impactful.With a focus on scaling globally, Kent is proving how curiosity and persistence can turn a simple idea into a growing business.Guest:Kent Swanlund - CO2Brew Inc: Instagram | WebsiteHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

April 23, 2026Episode 3658 min

Business is Human: Amish Morjaria’s Forward Level Mindset | CREATE - The Podcast

Amish Morjaria is the Founder & CEO of Forward Level, a strategic Marketing and HR firm built on one core belief—business is a human experience.With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Amish is known for helping leaders simplify complexity, shift perspective, and unlock real momentum by aligning brand, culture, and strategy. A creative thinker and natural connector, he challenges traditional ways of thinking and helps people see what’s possible—often before they see it themselves.Recognized as a Top 40 Under 40, Amish brings a refreshing, human-first lens to leadership, growth, and what it truly means to move forward—with clarity and purpose. Guest:Amish Morjaria - Forward Level: Instagram | Website | LinkedInHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

April 15, 2026Episode 3541 min

Built by Hand, Inspired by History: The Art of Brad Holt | CREATE - The Podcast

Brad Holt is a professional artist who has spent more than 16 years doing what he loves - creating art that connects with people.Raised on a farm near Strathmore, Brad’s work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and stories of Alberta. Known for his unique process, he builds each piece starting with reclaimed wood and metal frames, often sourced from barns and old homes.An antique picker at heart, Brad brings new life to materials with history, creating artwork that feels both personal and timeless.Guest:Brad Holt - Holt Fine Art: Instagram | WebsiteHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

April 8, 2026Episode 3449 min

Guntis Sethi: Scaling Spicebros Through Discipline and Creativity | CREATE - The Podcast

Guntas Sethi is the owner and operator of Spicebro, where he’s building a fast-casual brand centered around bold, fresh, high-protein Indian-inspired food. His journey started inside McDonald's, where he spent eight years learning the fundamentals of systems, leadership, and delivering consistent customer experiences at scale.Today, Guntas blends that operational discipline with a sharp focus on branding, content, and community. He’s not just building restaurants - he’s building a modern, scalable brand designed to connect with people through both food and storytelling. Driven by growth and long-term vision, Guntas represents a new wave of entrepreneurs redefining what it means to build in today’s digital-first world.Guest:Guntis Singh Sethi - Spicebros: Instagram | WebsiteHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

April 1, 2026Episode 331 hr 0 min

Alastair Smart: Building a Life of Happiness Through Connection and Curiosity | CREATE - The Podcast

My friend and mentor, Alastair Smart, is someone who truly embodies what it means to live a full and happy life. Born and raised in England, he began his career as a police officer before following a path that eventually brought him to Canada. Along the way, he embraced a wide range of experiences - from driving taxis to managing retail stores - each shaping his perspective on people, work, and community.That journey ultimately led him to Calgary, where he became the first salesperson for Big Rock Brewery, helping build one of Canada’s pioneering craft beer brands. Beyond his career, Alastair is known as a mentor and connector - someone who has helped foster a culture of generosity and collaboration across an entire industry. Alastair’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and leading with kindness.Guest:Alastair Smart: Instagram | LinkedIn Host:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | Website

March 25, 2026Episode 321 hr 4 min

Breaking Silence: Reclaiming Your Voice with Amber Nicole Hayes | CREATE - The Podcast

Amber Nicole Hayes is a Calgary-based interior designer, entrepreneur, and author of The Obedient Daughter – a powerful memoir about breaking silence, confronting trauma, and reclaiming your voice.After leaving the corporate world to build her own design business, Amber’s greatest transformation happened internally. At 37, after carrying the secret of childhood sexual abuse for 25 years, she faced a battle with depression that ultimately became the catalyst for radical honesty and healing. Refusing to dilute her truth – even when it meant walking away from a publisher – Amber chose integrity over comfort.Today, she is an advocate for women’s empowerment, mental health awareness, and breaking generational cycles of trauma. Guided by her two daughters – her ultimate “why” – Amber lives her message daily through movement, mindfulness, therapy, and fearless authenticity.Guest:Amber Nicole Hayes: Instagram | Website Host:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

March 18, 2026Episode 311 hr 14 min

The Business of Creativity: Pushing Boundaries in Craft Beverages | CREATE - The Podcast

Blake Belding is the co-founder of Cold Garden Beverage Company. What started as homebrewing beer and making wine evolved into a vision - one that would eventually become one of Calgary’s most recognizable and innovative beverage brands.As the creative force behind Cold Garden’s ever-evolving lineup, Blake is constantly experimenting, pushing boundaries, and redefining what a local beverage company can be. His ideas don’t just come from a playbook—they come from experience.Travel plays a big role in that. Whether it’s exploring new cities, cultures, or flavours, Blake brings those inspirations back home, turning them into something tangible - something you can taste, share, and experience.At his core, Blake represents what CREATE is all about: starting with curiosity, taking action, and building something real.Guest:Blake Belding - Cold Garden Beverage Company: Instagram | WebsiteHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website

March 4, 2026Episode 301 hr 3 min

Beyond the Anchor Desk: Linda Olsen on Purpose & Reinvention | CREATE - The Podcast

Linda Olsen is a born-and-raised Calgarian and award-winning storyteller who spent nearly three decades as one of the most trusted voices at Global News Calgary. Over a 36-year career in journalism, she helped shape how the city understood its defining moments - from breaking news to powerful human stories that connected communities.In 2024, she stepped away from the anchor desk and into a new chapter- embracing freelance storytelling, speaking engagements, and hosting The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen on QR Calgary.Grounded in family and purpose, Linda continues to shine a light on the people and stories that make Calgary extraordinary - proving that reinvention isn’t about starting over, but about stepping forward with intention.Guest:Linda Olsen: Instagram | Website | LinkedIn Host:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast: Instagram | TikTok | Website