Annex Business Media: Podcasts

In this podcast, ENVO founder and CEO Ali Kazemkhani joins to talk about electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada and its challenges, supply chain strategy and how the company’s approach to manufacturing.

Anamika Gadia, National Leader of Industrial Markets at KMPG Canada, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s recent survey, polling Cdn. manufacturers and finding that four in ten are eyeing a U.S. production move. We take a deep dive into the survey, and what it means for businesses looking at their next move in a tight, tariff-affected economy.

What if the future of hotel access means never having to think about your room key at all?

In this episode of Security Insights, host Stefanie Croley sits down with Austin LaPoten, Industry Business Development Lead for Hospitality at Salto Systems, to explore the evolution of hotel access credentials – from traditional brass keys and magnetic stripe cards to mobile credentials, digital room keys, and emerging biometric technologies.

Austin traces how each generation of access technology has addressed the limitations of its predecessor, improving security, guest convenience, and operational efficiency along the way. The discussion also expands beyond the guest room door to the growing role of smart lockers in hospitality, wellness, and resort environments, highlighting how integrated access systems are helping create more seamless guest journeys. Looking ahead, Austin shares his perspective on the future of access credentials.

The armoured vehicle manufacturing company is hoping to address Canada’s defence needs, with a broad strategy and key connections across sectors.

The head of the Cdn. snack and protein bar business sits down to talk about her journey, challenges in scaling up, and where the business is headed the rest of the year.

Rocco Agostino, executive chef and partner of Libretto Restaurant Group and Enoteca Sociale in Toronto, and Hilary Drago, director of operations, with Libretto Group, join Canadian Pizza editor Colleen Cross in a podcast to discuss the change in model from pizzeria to bar and entertainment spot with a new mission and a new name, Bar Libretto.

This well-respected Toronto business, focused on VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza, recently switched gears to rebrand its flagship location on Ossington Avenue in Toronto as Bar Libretto.

The menu includes Neapolitan pizza, small plates, and easy‑to‑share bites, cocktails and wine, and, with two distinct happy hours, the atmosphere is designed to encourage people to linger.

Learn what inspired this shift in focus and how the team managed the transition with many moving parts.

We hope you enjoy this pizza-focused conversation. You can connect with Rocco and Hilary at @pizzerialibretto.

Thanks for listening to the Canadian Pizza Podcast. Let us know what you think and what you’d like to hear on future podcasts!

Dean Litster and Lisa Bottone join Canadian Pizza editor Colleen Cross us in a podcast to creating Detroit- and Windsor-style pizza without boundaries, smart media strategies that resulted in long lineups and managing the opening of their new pizzeria, Professor Zaaa’s in Windsor, Ont.

Dean was Canadian Pizza Chef of the Year in 2019. Read more about his journey here.

We hope you enjoy this pizza-focused conversation. You can connect with Dean Litster and Lisa Bottone @professorzaaa.

Thanks for listening to the Canadian Pizza Podcast. Let us know what you think and what you’d like to hear on future podcasts!

Protocase is a custom sheet metal, precision-machined parts and 3D printing solutions parts manufacturer. Cofounder Doug Milburn joined to discuss AI, tariffs and defence.

Adam Ward joins Canadian Pizza editor Colleen Cross us in a podcast to talk about love, resilience and creativity.

Ward is head chef and co-owner with Sasha Warunkiewicz of Hooray For Pizza Day located inside the Comedy Bar Danforth in Toronto. The path that led to this business model and success is unique and inspiring. Adam achieved second-place honours in the Canadian Pizza Chef of the Year competition in Toronto for his innovative pan-style take on Hawaiian pizza.

Join CFI editor Andrew Snook and Chris Duncan, MNP’s Northern B.C. regional managing partner and national leader of forestry and forest products services, as they discuss the many challenges the industry faced in 2025 and the road ahead towards a more prosperous 2026.

Topics include navigating U.S. tariffs and duties; access to affordable fibre; a new Softwood Lumber Agreement; expanding markets for Canadian wood products; adoption of AI and automation; the growth of mass timber products; a new logging formula; and wildfire challenges and opportunities.

Sponsored by MNP, this episode offers a must-listen year-end review and outlook for Canada’s forest sector.

Have an idea for a podcast episode? Email CFI editor Andrew Snook at: [email protected].