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 | LinkedIn

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

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 | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

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 | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

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

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

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 | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

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

Steve McVicker is the Chief Brand Officer and Co-Founder of Matt & Steve’s, the proudly Canadian company behind The Extreme Bean and one of the most recognizable names in the Caesar and pickle category. What began as a bold idea between two best friends has grown into an international brand built on fun, flavour, authenticity, and emotional connection.

Steve is the driving force behind the brand’s voice, personality, and cultural impact. He believes great brands aren’t just marketed — they’re lived. From storytelling and partnerships to consumer engagement and community-building, Steve ensures Matt & Steve’s doesn’t just stand out on shelves, but resonates with people in real life.

Driven by curiosity, discipline, and a relentless work ethic, Steve continues to compete - and win - against much larger players by staying authentic and building experiences people don’t just see, but feel.

Guest:

• Steve McVicker - Matt & Steve’s: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Andrew Gass is a chef with more than 35 years of experience around the globe. 

He’s worked everywhere from Walt Disney World Resorts to elite international hockey tournaments - earning two gold medals as Team Canada’s chef at the World Junior Championships in Sweden and the Czech Republic. 

A graduate of the Olds College Brew Master program (with distinction) - Andrew is now the co-owner of Vaycay Brew Co, combining his culinary and brewing passions.  

Today, we’re going to talk about personal growth and what it really takes to build excellence over decades.

Guest:

• Andrew Gass: Instagram 
• VayCay Brew Co: Instagram 

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Dillon Stecyk, COO of The Apres Collective, is a creative entrepreneur and one of the driving forces behind the Aroabora Music Festival in Banff - a unique, mountain-set celebration that blends music, nature, and human connection.

With a background rooted in events, culture, and collaboration, Dillon has helped shape Aroabora into an experience that brings people together and reminds them what music feels like when it’s intentional and intimate.  Dillon brings a refreshingly honest take on building creative projects with friends, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and staying grounded while building something meaningful.

In this conversation, Dillon shares the behind-the-scenes realities of festival creation and why community - not scale - is the real measure of success.

Guest: 

• Dillon Stecyk - COO of ABF & Apres Collective: Instagram | LinkedIn 
• ABF: Instagram | Website
• Aroabora Music Festival: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website