204 Rise

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]

What does it take to rebuild your life after hitting rock bottom, not once, but multiple times? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jason McLean, an author, speaker, and mental health advocate who’s made it his mission to turn pain into purpose.

Jason opens up about growing up in a broken home, battling mental health challenges, and facing moments where life could’ve gone either way. Through honesty and resilience, he found a second chance and chose to dedicate it to helping others find light in their darkest moments.

From his bestselling books One Drop of Water and The Monarch Butterfly Effect to the work he’s doing in schools, workplaces, and communities across the country, Jason’s story is a testament to strength, healing, and the power of vulnerability.

This episode is raw, emotional, and inspiring a reminder that it’s never too late to change your story.

00:00 Introduction & Startling Statistics

01:08 Childhood Hardships & Homelessness

03:32 Advice to Younger Self & Belief

04:22 Formative Childhood Memories

05:54 Life Lessons from Riding a Bike

06:55 When Reality Hits & Losing Innocence

08:14 Imagination as a Coping Mechanism

10:28 Early Struggles, Abuse, and Moving Schools

13:05 Dealing with Bullying & Childhood Insecurities

16:56 Imagination and Becoming the Hero

19:00 Exploring the Past: Facts vs Feelings

21:21 IQ Tests, School Challenges, and Coping

24:30 Self-Sabotage & Cycles of Opportunity

28:06 Family Dynamics and Identity Challenges

33:51 Importance of Revisiting Childhood to Heal

36:12 Mental Health vs Mental Fitness

38:18 Action vs Awareness in Healing

41:12 From Insecurity to Finding Purpose Through Writing

43:51 On Vulnerability, Authentic Storytelling, and Healing

47:00 Homelessness, Kindness, and Survival

51:24 The Feeling of Depression: Buried in a Hole

01:04:34 The Downward Spiral and Suicidal Thoughts

01:10:12 Inside the Mind: The Day of the Attempt

01:17:01 Miraculous Survival and Aftermath

01:25:03 Rethinking Failure: Lessons and Growth

01:29:02 Breaking Out of Depression & the Power of Movement

01:31:57 Men’s Mental Health & Societal Pressures

01:36:48 True Masculinity: Power and Peacefulness

01:41:01 Holding Space for Brothers & Powerful Friendships

01:44:08 Practical Advice for Helping Friends

01:49:38 Father’s Passing and Its Impact

01:54:04 Motorcycle Crash & Surviving Against All Odds

02:01:44 Healing, PTSD & Close Calls with Death

02:07:04 Current Mental Health & Daily Routines

02:10:17 The First Step Out of the Hole

02:12:44 Closing Thoughts & Reflections

#JasonMcLean #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #OvercomingAdversity #AuthorLife #InspirationDaily #HealingJourney #MindsetMatters #Resilience #TraumaHealing #WinnipegPodcast #204Rise #PurposeDriven #Motivation #Transformation

What does it take to capture the energy of a professional sports team and turn it into stories that move people? In this episode, we sit down with Foebus Dela Paz — the creative mind behind the Winnipeg Sea Bears’ most viral videos and cinematic game-day moments.Foebus shares his journey from picking up a camera for fun to becoming one of Winnipeg’s top videographers, known for his storytelling and relentless dedication to getting the perfect shot. We talk about what sparked his love for visual storytelling, the hustle of freelancing, and what it’s really like filming high-stakes, high-energy professional games.From long nights editing to finding purpose through creativity, Foebus breaks down what it means to tell stories that inspire and how passion can turn into a full-time career doing what you love.00:00 Introduction & Passion for Creativity01:05 Two Fries Podcast & Introducing Feebas03:29 Chasing Dreams: From Raptors to Seabears04:49 Finding Basketball & Early Filmmaking Roots06:31 Learning, Hustling & Building a Client Base08:33 Hoops Inspiration & Landing with the Seabears12:08 Standing Out: Storytelling vs Just Editing15:33 Being Different, Family Pressure, and Choosing Creativity18:47 Starting Out: Building a Portfolio and Getting Noticed22:22 Authenticity, Vibes, and Shooting What Feels Right25:13 Filming Clubs & Learning from Other Creators27:05 Self-Taught Journey & The Role of YouTube29:44 Grinding the Craft, Finding Consistency33:12 Going Full-Time: The Leap and Its Challenges36:33 Freelancer vs. Full-Time: Creative Freedom and Risks40:14 Launching Digital Products & Business Lessons43:32 Mini Movies, Fast Turnarounds, & Changing the Game47:13 Recognition, Inspiration, and Seabears Highlights49:54 Reflecting on Wins, Ambition & Personal Values53:19 Pursuing the NBA, Family, and Life Balance56:00 Team Media Operations: Seabears, Jets and Big Leagues01:00:00 Big Breaks: NBA Asia, New York & Career Milestones01:04:44 Handling Embarrassment, Flow States & Burnout01:10:34 Staying Grounded: Family, Money, and What Really Matters01:13:37 Releasing Merch: The Hoodie Story & Its Meaning01:14:43 Future Outlook & Advice to Younger Self01:15:47 Final Thoughts & Episode Wrap Up#WinnipegSeaBears #ContentCreator #Videography #Storytelling #Filmmaker #CreativeJourney #SeaBears #WinnipegCreatives #BehindTheLens #FreelancerLife #VisualStorytelling #PodcastInterview #204Rise

We had the privilege of sitting down with Scott Gillingham, the 44th Mayor of Winnipeg, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about leadership, community, and the future of our city.Mayor Gillingham shares how his years of service as a pastor shaped his desire to make a greater impact, ultimately leading him into politics. He talks about his vision for Winnipeg, especially the downtown core, "The heart of the city,” vital to keeping the whole community thriving.Together, we explore the incredible talent, culture, history and organizations that make Winnipeg unique, and the importance of building an environment where everyone can succeed. Mayor Gillingham also reflects on the challenges of polarization in society and why true progress depends on coming together as one community.This episode is a rare look inside the vision, values, and determination of the leader driving Winnipeg forward.

00:00 Building Winnipeg's Future

02:18 Sense of Community & Challenges

03:49 Reflections on Leadership & Service

07:08 Leadership Lessons & Collaboration

12:18 Responding to Crisis and Emergencies

18:27 Balancing the Role of Mayor

23:11 Winnipeg at 150 & Vision for the Future

27:01 Winnipeg's Strengths & Challenges

31:41 Downtown Investments & City Projects

36:36 Messaging, Social Media, and Community Events

39:32 Handling Criticism & Staying Resilient

44:33 Difficult Decisions & Long-term Thinking

47:03 Technology, AI & The Evolving City

49:39 Advice for Winnipeggers: Live a Life of Service

#Winnipeg #MayorScottGillingham #CityOfWinnipeg #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #DowntownWinnipeg #WinnipegStrong #FutureOfWinnipeg #InspiringLeaders #204Community #BuildingTogether

We had the privilege of sitting down with Scott Gillingham, the 44th Mayor of Winnipeg, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about leadership, community, and the future of our city.

Mayor Gillingham shares how his years of service as a pastor shaped his desire to make a greater impact, ultimately leading him into politics. He talks about his vision for Winnipeg, especially the downtown core, "The heart of the city,” vital to keeping the whole community thriving.

Together, we explore the incredible talent, culture, history and organizations that make Winnipeg unique, and the importance of building an environment where everyone can succeed. Mayor Gillingham also reflects on the challenges of polarization in society and why true progress depends on coming together as one community.

This episode is a rare look inside the vision, values, and determination of the leader driving Winnipeg forward.

#Winnipeg #MayorScottGillingham #CityOfWinnipeg #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #DowntownWinnipeg #WinnipegStrong #FutureOfWinnipeg #InspiringLeaders #204Community #BuildingTogether

In this episode, we sit down with The Degenerates to trace their journey from humble beginnings to festival stages. They open up about their earliest gigs, the nerves of their first major booking, and how they grew from playing to small crowds into commanding big festival audiences.

We dive into the story of how they formed their duo, what keeps them motivated, and the importance of living in the moment while chasing a dream in the rave world. From family reactions and musical influences to the funny stories that shaped their path, The Degenerates share a raw and real look at life as DJs.

They talk about set planning, connecting with audiences, and the evolution of DJ culture, all while reflecting on Winnipeg’s growing EDM scene. With insights on inspiration, risks, and advice for aspiring DJs, this conversation captures both the chaos and passion behind their music journey.
00:00 Meeting & Early Days
01:45 First Gigs and Early Experiences
03:38 Forming a Duo & Going Pro
04:44 First Major Booking and Nerves
05:45 Small Crowds to Big Festivals
06:53 Staying Motivated & The 'Why'
07:38 Living in the Moment
08:22 Family Reactions & The Rave World
09:28 Musical Influences and DJ Styles
10:27 Set Planning & Tomorrow’s Show
10:53 Connecting With The Audience
11:44 Funny Stories & Humble Beginnings
12:30 How DJing Has Changed
13:39 Choosing The Name 'Degenerates'
14:57 Gambling Stories and Inspiration
16:01 Musical Inspirations & Local Scene
17:37 Winnipeg as an EDM Hub
18:22 Advice for Aspiring DJs
19:00 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts
🔗 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]

#TheDegenerates #DJLife #FestivalLife #EDMCommunity #EDMScene #EDMFamily #RaveCulture #FestivalSeason #DJSet #EDMMusic #ProducerLife #WinnipegEvents #WinnipegNightlife #RaveFam #EDMFestival #UndergroundEDM #CanadianEDM #LocalDJs #FestivalVibes #MusicJourney