CREATE - The Podcast

Bill brings over 30 years of experience in the beverage industry to his role at Foothills Creamery. From working on iconic campaigns like “I AM CANADIAN” to helping re-energize a legacy Alberta brand, he’s always been driven by people, purpose, and a good story.

Since joining Foothills in 2021, Bill has tackled big challenges – culture shifts, supply issues, product revamps—but with the right team and a community-first mindset, the results have been sweet.

In this episode, Bill talks about the power of leadership, staying connected, and why building something meaningful takes more than just a good scoop.

Guest:

• Bill McKenzie: LinkedIn
• Foothills Creamery: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

As co-founder of BioWare, Greg helped create some of the most iconic story-driven games of our time, including Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. A trained medical doctor, he balanced family medicine with game development before fully committing to the studio—eventually leading it through its acquisition by Electronic Arts and serving as VP and GM of BioWare Austin.

After stepping away in 2012 to pursue a more balanced life, Greg turned his attention to craft beer. He hosted The Beer Diaries, led the Alberta Small Brewers Association, and launched Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company in Edmonton. In 2018, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to gaming and community entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Greg shares his journey of reinvention, creative leadership, and what it means to build with passion – whether in pixels or pints.

Guest:

• Greg Zeschuk: LinkedIn
• Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Jeff’s creative journey began behind the bar, where he started collecting bottle caps simply because he couldn’t bring himself to throw them away. Eighteen years later, those caps have become the foundation of a thriving art career—transforming waste into bold, eye-catching mosaics. 

With over half a million caps repurposed, Jeff’s work now spans three continents, with clients including the Chicago Bulls, Labatt, the Blue Jays, and Joe Rogan.

Before launching JAM full-time, Jeff built a varied creative background as a musician, actor, and marketing-minded problem solver. In 2021, he made the leap—leaving a stable job and stepping into the unknown to see if his art could support his family. Spoiler alert…it did!

In this episode, Jeff shares how passion, persistence, and a little resourcefulness turned a bin of discarded bottle caps into a globally recognized brand—and what it means to bring everyday objects to life through art.

Guest: 

• Jeff Meszaros - JAM Bottle Cap Art: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Since 1994, Max has called the Columbia Valley home – a place that mirrors his passion for the outdoors, people, and possibility. His career has been anything but conventional: from building homes and launching early internet companies to founding flight schools and competing four times in the gruelling Red Bull X-Alps adventure race.

Today, Max wears many hats—realtor with Re/Max Invermere, paddling guide with Columbia River Paddle, and chief instructor at flyingMax.com, where he shares his love of paragliding and ultralight aviation. At the heart of everything he does is a drive to help others chart their course—whether that’s through buying a home, discovering adventure, or simply reconnecting with what matters.

In this episode, Max reflects on loss, resilience, and how embracing a life of movement, curiosity, and connection continues to shape his evolving journey.

Guest:

• Max Powers: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Peter started cooking at 14 and hasn’t looked back.  His work has earned him the title of Canadian Chef of the Year in 2020 and a spot on Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2022. 

With experience in some of Canada’s top kitchens, international competition wins, and degrees in both culinary arts and business, his career bridges the worlds of food, entrepreneurship, and education.

Today, Peter co-owns a trio of beloved Edmonton food ventures: Meuwly’s (specialty meats and charcuterie), The Hub (a restaurant incubator), and Beb’s Bagels (a rising star in the local food scene). He also serves as director of eHUB at the University of Alberta and teaches at the School of Business, mentoring the next generation of innovators.

Beyond business, Peter is deeply invested in giving back. He chairs In The Weeds, a nonprofit supporting hospitality mental health, and sits on the boards of the Canadian Culinary Fund and Skills Alberta.

In this episode, Peter shares his journey through kitchens, startups, and service—and why food, for him, has always been about connection and impact.

Guest:

• Peter Keith: LinkedIn
• Meuwly’s: Instagram | Website
• The Hub: Instagram 
• Beb’s Bagels: Instagram

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 

CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Meet Kelly Mandeville – Connector, Creator, and Co-Founder of Monster Sauce.

With a background in film production, marketing, and brand storytelling, Kelly has spent her career building bridges between people, products, and purpose. After nearly a decade introducing Canadians to beloved craft breweries like Phillips and Beau’s, she co-founded Hop Forward—a nonprofit promoting inclusion and equity in the beer and hospitality industries.

In 2021, Kelly and her partner turned their go-to pandemic comfort food into Monster Sauce, a bold, award-winning condiment brand featured in The Globe and Mail and Chatelaine. Their growing lineup now includes Shorty’s Hot Honey, a hit with pizza lovers nationwide.

In this episode, Kelly talks about flavour, community, and the power of turning shared meals into something much bigger.

Guest:

• Kelly Mandeville: LinkedIn
• Monster Sauce: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn 
• CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Meet Jochen Fahr, founder of Brauerei Fahr, the award-winning brewery celebrated for its authentic German beers. 

Born and raised in Ebringen, Germany, Jochen’s love for brewing started early, influenced by his father’s work at the historic Fürstenberg Brewery. Years later, Jochen’s passion and appreciation for local farming converged in Alberta, where he established Brauerei Fahr in 2015. With a steadfast commitment to brewing “beer-flavoured” beer, Jochen brings the flavours of Germany to Canada, using local ingredients and traditional recipes to craft his beloved brews.

But Jochen’s story goes beyond beer. After facing personal losses in 2023, including the passing of his brother to ALS and his father shortly after, Jochen found himself reevaluating life’s priorities. Determined to heal and rebuild resilience, he embraced fitness as a cornerstone of his wellness journey. From joining F45 workouts to taking on the HYROX fitness challenge and signing up for his first marathon, Jochen has learned the power of setting goals, finding balance, and prioritizing both mental and physical well-being.

Join us for an inspiring conversation as Jochen shares his journey from scientist to brewmaster, his dedication to local farming and authentic brewing traditions, and how fitness and wellness have become essential ingredients in his life and business.

Guest:

Jochen Fahr: LinkedIn

Fahr Beer: Instagram | Facebook | Website

Host:

Mark Kondrat: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website

LMFAB Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Meet Christine Sandford and Roger Létourneau—seasoned chefs and founders of Lessig Ferments and Vagabond Pop-Ups.

Roger founded Lessig Ferments in 2021, blending his French and German heritage with a deep passion for fermentation. Christine joined him as co-owner in 2023, and with combined experience from top restaurants in Edmonton, Belgium, Denmark, and France, the duo brings an impressive blend of creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship to their ventures. Recently, they launched Vagabond, a pop-up dinner series born out of their love for travel and local ingredients, where they design unique menus inspired by their culinary adventures.

Tune in as Christine and Roger share their journey from traditional kitchens to entrepreneurial life, their dedication to artisanal, locally sourced fermentation, and their love for creating community-driven culinary experiences.

Guest:

Christine: Instagram | Roger: Instagram

Vagabond Pop-Ups: Instagram

Lessig Ferments: Instagram | Website 

Host:

Mark Kondrat: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website

LMFAB Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Meet Matt Livingstone, Sales Director at Village Brewery.

Matt’s career started at McDonald's, where he learned the values of hard work, customer service, and teamwork. These experiences sparked his passion for connecting with people and led him into the fast-paced world of food & beverage.

From there, he spent several years selling imported beers, gaining a deep appreciation for global brewing traditions and learning the ins and outs of the beer market. Now, with a decade at Village Brewery, Matt has combined his love for beer with his sales expertise, helping the brand grow and connect with beer lovers across the community.

Join us for a laid-back conversation with Matt as he shares his journey from fast food to craft beer, his insights into the beer industry, and his passion for fostering relationships in the local community.

Guest:

Matt Livingstone:  Instagram | LinkedIn 

Village Brewery: Instagram | Facebook | Website 

Host:

Mark Kondrat: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website

LMFAB Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

Meet Luke Butterworth, Cofounder of EPIC Market - Edmonton-based food hall, events and media company. Luke’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship was sparked early, leading him down a diverse path in the startup world. 

While earning his Executive MBA from the University of Alberta, he co-founded three startups in Telehealth, Robotics, and AI/ML. His experience at the NEXT36/NextAI incubator in Toronto further solidified his commitment to entrepreneurship, shaping his vision for the future. Though his career started in software, Luke’s passion has evolved, leading him to the world of hospitality and events. He believes in the power of startups to drive economic prosperity and is a dedicated advocate for the Edmonton startup ecosystem.

As the leader of the ICE Incubator at the University of Alberta, Luke is deeply involved in supporting emerging businesses and their founders. His work with EPIC Market and his ongoing mentorship roles highlight his commitment to fostering innovation and community in Edmonton.

Join us for a conversation with Luke about his entrepreneurial journey, his vision for supporting startups, and his passion for building community in Edmonton.

Guest:

Luke Butterworth: LinkedIn 

Epic Market: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website 

Host:

Mark Kondrat: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website

LMFAB Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website