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Grab a coffee and pull up a chair—welcome to another incredible episode of Coffee in the Park featuring Geoff Stewart, the founder and owner of Rig Hand Distillery!

Geoff’s journey is anything but ordinary. Born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, his family moved dozens of times during his childhood—a penchant for new horizons that continued well into his adult life. He eventually attended the University of Alberta, where he met his wife and completed a degree in Dental Hygiene. Less than a year into his dental career, however, Geoff felt a calling to create something new. He began learning the art of tattooing, went back to school to earn a Fine Arts degree, and eventually owned six tattoo shops across the province.

After selling his tattoo businesses, Geoff set his sights on his next adventure. While initially looking into craft beer, he found the market saturated and pivoted to craft distilling. He traveled to Seattle to study the industry, completed an apprenticeship at a bourbon distillery in Ohio, and began experimenting at home while balancing his work in dental hygiene. His dedication paid off when he became just the second licensed craft distiller in Alberta.

Geoff shares the fascinating story behind Rig Hand Distillery's rapid growth, from their Leduc roots to their expansion into Texas and navigating international trade tariffs. He reveals the inspiration behind their iconic bottle shape—designed after the historic Leduc No. 1 oil rig—and talks about the incredible honor of Rig Hand's Rye Whiskey being named the official whiskey of Canada after sweeping 90% of the vote. Geoff also gives a preview of what’s next as Rig Hand expands beyond their 86 crafted spirits to include a full restaurant, an event venue, and even their own TV show, Still Shots!

Tune in to hear Geoff's remarkable story of grit, creativity, and building an Alberta institution from the ground up!

Check out Rig Hand Distillery here

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Join us for a coffee and chat with Doug Walton Sr. Advisor, Member Solutions at Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA).

From a farm near Onoway to becoming a respected leader in Alberta's trucking industry, Doug's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and passion for an industry that keeps our economy moving.

Doug's career began in an unexpected place, working security at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, until a simple question from a friend changed the course of his life: "Why not become a commercial truck driver?" In 1997, he earned his Class 1 licence and never looked back. After years behind the wheel, a debilitating sciatic nerve issue forced him to pivot from driving into transportation management, where he found a new way to serve the industry he loves.

In this episode, Doug shares why truck drivers are the lifeblood of our economy, delivering everything from the food on our tables to the vehicles we drive. Now serving as Senior Advisor, Member Services with the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), he is dedicated to supporting drivers and carriers through safety initiatives, mental and physical wellness programs, and advocacy efforts to have trucking recognized as a Red Seal trade in Alberta.

This inspiring conversation will give you a deeper appreciation for the people who keep our supply chains running and our communities connected. After listening, you'll never look at a commercial truck the same way again. 

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Grab a coffee and get ready to find your voice—welcome to another inspiring episode of Coffee in the Park featuring Public Speaking Coach and author, Alyson Connolly! 

Alyson’s journey into the power of communication began in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where early tap dancing classes led to a passion for theatre. After landing a spot in a CTV television musical in middle school, her future as a performer was set in stone. She went on to attend the prestigious BFA program at the University of Alberta, which brought her to the province she now calls home. From teaching summer drama in Fort McMurray—where she met her husband while performing in Grease—to spending decades working in commercials, plays, and musicals, Alyson fully immersed herself in the world of production.

After starting her family, Alyson pivoted into teaching, spending 17 impactful years at The Foote Theatre School at the Citadel Theatre, running artist residencies, and working as a drama facilitator at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital helping patients perform their stories. Driven by this deeply meaningful work, she returned to university at age 50 as one of only two people accepted into a Master’s program for Theatre Voice Pedagogy.

Inspired by helping her own son overcome his fear of public performance, Alyson eventually transitioned into the business world to launch her own public speaking coaching practice. Today, she works with everyone from CEOs and job seekers to anxious speakers and non-native English speakers, addressing not just vocal articulation, but the underlying psychology of stage fright. Her expertise even led her to author Public Speaking Skills For Dummies in 2017, a book that has since been translated into multiple languages worldwide.

In this episode, Alyson shares essential public speaking tips, including why walking with purpose beats pacing every time, and dives deep into the art of true human connection through speech. Tune in to hear an unbelievable story of passion, reinvention, and finding your confidence!

Connect with Alyson: Be sure to check out her website at Alyson Connolly for workshops, coaching, and public speaking resources.

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Grab a coffee and join us for an inspiring conversation with Jeff Meszaros, the artist behind the incredible JAM Bottle Cap Art. Jeff shares his fascinating journey from acting and performing as a musician to working in renewable energy in Southern Alberta before a life-changing opportunity changed everything.

What started as a hobby with a bottle cap portrait of John Lennon sparked an artistic journey that would lead to remarkable opportunities. Jeff's stunning creations have been commissioned by the Chicago Bulls, the Toronto Blue Jays and Labatt's, and for a fundraiser for Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. He recently presented one of his pieces to Burton Cummings of The Guess Who and is currently in conversations with the wife of the legendary Tom Petty about creating a special tribute piece.

Discover the hours and hours of work behind his breathtaking artwork, from sourcing millions of bottlecaps to spending countless hours meticulously creating unforgettable portraits.

This is a story about passion, perseverance, and taking a leap of faith. Listen to learn how one hobby turned into a thriving full-time career and why Jeff's unique art continues to captivate celebrities and collectors alike.

Check out his work on Instagram @jambottlecapart

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Grab a coffee and treat yourself to a fresh pastry—welcome to another heartwarming episode of Coffee in the Park featuring Siebe Koopman, the passionate owner of Dutch Delicious Bakery! 

Siebe’s story is an incredible full-circle journey. Though born in Barrhead, Alberta, his family moved back to the Netherlands when he was just a toddler. Years later, during a family trip back to Canada to celebrate his parents' 25th anniversary, destiny stepped in when Siebe met his future wife.

Having known he wanted to work in the kitchen since the age of five, Siebe attended a rigorous four-year baker's college program in the Netherlands, which included hands-on training running a local bakery. Although his credentials didn't directly transfer when he immigrated back to Canada to pursue his relationship, his drive and talent certainly did. After gaining experience at local shops like Grandin Bakery, Siebe seized the opportunity to buy a struggling bakery, rebranding and revitalizing it into the thriving Dutch Delicious we know and love today.

Siebe shares some of the unique cultural differences between European and Canadian bakeries, from uniforms to the shifting industry dynamics—including how baking has historically been a male-dominated field in the Netherlands compared to the more diverse environment in Canada. He also dives into what makes Dutch Delicious so unique, expanding far beyond a bakery to include a full deli and specialty European market.

Inspired by his grandparents' entrepreneurial legacy, Siebe balances running a booming business with raising his eight children. He also shares his exciting future dream of building a fully realized Dutch village right here in Alberta, complete with a local butcher and farmers to create an authentic European farm-to-table experience.

Tune in to hear this inspiring story of entrepreneurship, family, and community! Be sure to visit Dutch Delicious at their location on St. Albert Trail or find them at the Spruce Grove markets to get your fill of incredible baked goods.

Check out the bakery here: Dutch Delicious Bakery | Edmonton's Dutch Bakery

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Grab a coffee and bring your appetite—welcome to another fantastic episode of Coffee in the Park featuring the creator behind Dave Does Dining! 

Born in Vegreville and raised in St. Albert, Dave's path to becoming one of the region's favorite food bloggers wasn't exactly linear. After initially pursuing French-immersion medicine at the U of A’s Campus Saint-Jean, he realized the lab life wasn't for him. Following a well-deserved sabbatical, he pivoted to Business and Finance at MacEwan and the U of A, graduating in 2013 and working within major financial sectors. It wasn’t until his role as an Economic Growth Advisor for Parkland County that his secret weapon was truly uncovered: a massive passion for the culinary scene.

Channeling his childhood love for creativity and storytelling, Dave launched Dave Does Dining to combine his passion for people, local culture, and incredible eats.  Dave shares the heart behind the menu and explains how he goes beyond standard food reviews to bring chefs, restaurant owners, and staff directly into his videos to tell their authentic stories.

He also breaks down his love for hunting down  unique diners, taking road trips just for a great meal, and the fun dynamic of bringing his co-host, Trevor, along for completely honest, unfiltered reviews. To top it all off, Dave drops his absolute favorite local recommendations for everything from donuts and pies to pizza, breakfast joints, and hamburgers.

Dave believes food is the ultimate community connector, and this episode proves exactly why. Tune in to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the blog has grown, and walk away with a massive checklist for your next meal out!

Dave Does Dining (@davedoesdining) • Instagram photos and videos

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Grab a coffee and grab your red-and-white—welcome to a very special Canada Day Edition of Coffee in the Park! 

This week, Jennifer and Cam are diving deep into all things Canadian. They break down everything from our classic vocabulary (yes, including "Eh!") to the unique regional dialects of Canadian French. Along the way, they share a mountain of fun trivia, including our cultural obsession with maple syrup and Canada's unparalleled love for Kraft Dinner.

The conversation gets even more exciting as they chat about the anticipation surrounding the FIFA World Cup and celebrate Alberta’s legendary, hard-fought status as the only completely rat-free jurisdiction in the world. They also take time to appreciate the incredible Canadian wildlife you can spot right in our own backyards, sharing stories of critters big and small.

Whether you spent the holiday watching fireworks or relaxing at the lake, we hope all our listeners had a fantastic Canada Day. Tune in for an episode packed with surprising anecdotes, big laughs, and true Canadian pride!

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Pop the confetti and pour an extra-large cup—welcome to the Two-Year Anniversary Special of Coffee in the Park! 🥳☕

To kick things off, Cam and Jennifer send a massive shout-out to The Wall Coffee Roasters for hosting our recordings every week, and a huge thank you to our sponsor, Wing Snob, for keeping this dream flying.

In this milestone episode, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to produce a show every single week for two years straight. We share fascinating global podcast statistics, dive into Cam and Jennifer's contrasting "color personalities," and look back at the heartwarming feedback we've received from friends and listeners.

From high-profile community leaders to the hidden gems of local industry—and the amazing studio audiences who joined us around the table—we reminisce about the incredible guests who made the last 24 months unforgettable. Ultimately, the best part of this journey has been the people we've met and the local stories we’ve been privileged to preserve.

Thank you for tuning in every single Thursday to hear the story behind the story. Here’s to the next two years and beyond! 🎧✨

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Grab a coffee and join us for a heartwarming conversation with Elisa Irlam, the incredible founder of Dogs with Wings!

Elisa knew from a young age that her passion belonged to animals. After initially pursuing veterinary medicine in a fiercely competitive landscape, she pivoted to Biological and Ecological Sciences at NAIT. A twist of fate and a past connection introduced her to the world of guide dog training, leading her to Ottawa for a rigorous three-year apprenticeship with Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Eventually returning to Alberta, a few late-night brainstorming sessions around a kitchen table birthed what would initially become the Western Guide Dog Foundation. Starting strictly with guide dogs for the blind, the organization steadily grew, expanding its services to mobility aid dogs, autism support dogs, and eventually PTSD and trauma support dogs. In 2007, they underwent a beautiful rebrand to become Dogs with Wings Assistance Dogs Society—a name that perfectly encompasses their soaring mission.

In this episode, Elisa pulls back the curtain on the intense, multi-year process of raising a service animal:

• The Puppy Phase: Starting at just 8 weeks old, puppies undergo intensive socialization and basic behavioral training with foster raisers until 16–18 months.
• The Advanced Raiser Program: From 18 months to 2 years, the dogs enter "advanced school," getting dropped off every morning to train for specialized service work.
• The Graduation Rate: Elisa explains why only 30% to 50% of dogs successfully make it to "vested" status, and how the dogs who drop out still change lives through their Companion Dog Program.

Today, Dogs with Wings is fully internationally accredited by Assistance Dogs International, handling everything from breeding and raising to specialized client matching. Tune in to learn about the incredible science, patience, and love behind these life-changing animals!

Check them out here: Home - Dogs With Wings

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Join us for a coffee and chat with Janna Tominuk, the Chief Executive Officer at Sport Central!

Janna grew up in Peace River, Alberta, in a sport-loving household where being active was a way of life. This early passion led her to pursue a Sports Administration degree, starting at Grande Prairie Regional College before transferring to the University of Alberta. While her career would later take her across the province to work in cities like Grande Prairie and Lloydminster, her deep love for the Edmonton community eventually brought her back to the city she calls home.

Janna’s career is a masterclass in sports event management. Her journey has taken her all over the province and across some of Canada's most iconic sporting events. She has worked on the 1995 Canada Winter Games, the 2010 Grey Cup, the wild and fast-paced Red Bull Crashed Ice, and spent 13 years with the Canadian Curling Association managing Briers, World Championships, and Olympic Trials.

Today, Janna is channeling that lifetime of sports expertise into her role as CEO of Sport Central. Originally founded by Tiger Goldstick in 1991, this incredible organization is gearing up to celebrate its 35th anniversary this December! Sport Central collects, repairs, refurbishes, and redistributes gently used sports equipment to children facing financial hardships, offering gear for over 20 different sports.

Janna shares details about their recent, massive move to a brand-new, consolidated warehouse—stepping up from a scattered setup of four buildings and 20 sea cans into a streamlined facility designed to outfit more kids than ever before. She also highlights the absolutely incredible wave of community support they received to make this massive move possible, proving once again how local businesses and volunteers step up when it matters most.

If you have old sports equipment collecting dust in your garage, listen in to find out how you can support this incredible cause through one of their 50+ drop-off locations across Edmonton! Check them out at the links below!

EQUIPMENT DONATION LOCATIONS – Sport Central

Sport Central – Changing Lives Through Sport

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