Neighbour Studio

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas for an in-depth conversation about the past year in the Town of Aurora.

Mayor Mrakas reflects on the key moments, challenges, and accomplishments that shaped the year, offering insight into how Aurora continues to grow and evolve. From community priorities and local initiatives to the realities of municipal leadership, the discussion highlights what it takes to guide a town through change while keeping residents at the centre of every decision.

Myles and Mayor Mrakas also touch on the importance of community engagement, listening to residents, and building a town that reflects the needs and values of the people who call Aurora home. It’s a candid look at leadership, progress, and what lies ahead for the year to come.

Whether you live in Aurora or simply enjoy learning about local leadership and community growth, this episode offers thoughtful perspective and a behind-the-scenes look at the conversations shaping the town.

Join us for a special episode of Conversations with Neighbours as host Myles sits down with MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy to reflect on a huge year for Newmarket–Aurora, from her re-election to major community investments in healthcare, housing, seniors, and more.

In this candid conversation, Dawn shares what it meant to be re-elected, the reality of campaigning during February’s brutal winter, and the deep appreciation she has for the volunteers and residents who supported her.

We also dive into some of the year’s biggest moments, including:

✨ Seniors Expo & Community Barbecue are two of the riding’s most popular events, bringing together hundreds of residents, service providers, and families.

🏥 Healthcare Investments 
• $46+ million for Southlake Regional Health Centre
• Over $1 million for the new York Region Mental Health & Community Care Centre
• $850,000 for a new Family Care Centre connecting up to 2,300 residents
• The province’s $2.1B plan to ensure every Ontarian has a primary care provider

🏠 Housing & Homelessness Support 
• $2.3 million for Blue Door’s Gorham Street Project
• $630,000 for In From the Cold’s transitional housing build
• $170,000 through the Ontario Trillium Foundation for accessibility upgrades

MPP Gallagher Murphy breaks down why these investments matter, how they’re shaping the future of our community, and why she remains committed to advocacy on issues that impact residents every day.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Maria Vitoria Costa from Tax Partners, a firm with a long-standing reputation for trusted accounting and tax services across the Greater Toronto and York Region areas.

For more than 38 years, Tax Partners, along with its predecessor principals and associates, has supported a diverse client base with accounting, tax preparation, and consulting services. Guided by a strong commitment to superior service, innovation, and quality, the team focuses on building lasting relationships rooted in trust and personalized care.

In this conversation, Maria shares what sets Tax Partners apart, emphasizing the importance of understanding each client’s unique situation and offering guidance that goes beyond the numbers. She speaks to the value of professional expertise, long-term planning, and having a trusted partner when navigating personal or business financial decisions.

Whether you’re a business owner, an individual seeking tax guidance, or simply curious about the role strong client relationships play in professional services, this episode offers insight into how experience, integrity, and care come together to support financial confidence and peace of mind.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Rachel Hawtin, Brand Manager & Community Liaison at NewRoads Automotive Group. 🚗✨

With over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and event management, Rachel brings a dynamic blend of creativity, strategy, and community connection to everything she does. A proud OCAD graduate, she has built a career rooted in innovation, nurturing creative ideas while knowing how to evaluate and execute them with impact.

Rachel’s professional journey spans an impressive range of industries and roles, including digital marketing, social media, content creation, sponsorship management, event planning, automotive, retail, field marketing, promotions, critical writing, and hospitality. Each chapter has shaped her adaptable, forward-thinking approach and deep appreciation for collaboration and storytelling.

Beyond her professional work, Rachel is a lifelong creative. With nearly two decades of experience in photography, she has a strong eye for capturing meaningful moments. Her artistic passions also extend into sculpture, sewing, and fashion design, allowing her to express creativity across multiple mediums. An exchange program at the University of Wales, Newport, further broadened her perspective, immersing her in the world of British design and influencing her artistic vision.

In this conversation, Rachel shares how creativity fuels her work, the importance of authentic community engagement, and how embracing change and pushing boundaries leads to meaningful growth, both personally and professionally.

Whether you’re interested in branding, creative careers, community leadership, or the power of multidisciplinary thinking, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a thoughtful look behind the scenes of building impactful experiences.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Shelagh Cummins, a powerhouse business strategist and champion for women entrepreneurs. 🚀✨

Shelagh is the creator of The FUEL Mastermind and the Life-Fuel Business Lounge, programs designed to help women scale their businesses profitably while gaining more time, revenue, and freedom. As the founder of Capital Access, she’s also dedicated to helping women secure the funding they need to grow, breaking down barriers and building pathways to success.

A sought-after coach and speaker (including on the TEDx stage), Shelagh has spent years empowering entrepreneurs to build sustainable, scalable businesses without sacrificing their wellbeing or their lives outside of work.

In this conversation, she shares the story behind her mission, the challenges women entrepreneurs face, the systems that make scaling possible, and the mindset shifts that open the door to real, lasting growth.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, aspiring business owner, or simply someone who loves hearing from leaders making an impact, this episode is filled with insight, motivation, and actionable wisdom.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Scott Johnston, a veteran cartoonist and proud member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists and the National Cartoonists Society. 

Scott has been drawing for as long as he can remember and has spent more than 25 years creating editorial cartoons for a local newspaper. Through ink and imagination, he’s captured humour, politics, and everyday life with a pen that tells powerful stories in just a few frames.

In this conversation, Scott shares what inspired his love of cartooning, how his creative process has evolved, and what it’s like turning real-world headlines into meaningful (and often humorous) art. He also opens up about the role of cartoons in storytelling, community connection, and free expression.

Whether you’re a fan of comics, curious about creative careers, or love hearing from local artists who shape how we see the world, this episode offers a fun, thoughtful, and inspiring look behind the lines.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Shai and Danny Samuelson of Harbor Painting Co. Inc. 🎨🏡

Harbor Painting Co. isn’t just about fresh coats of paint; it’s about respect, care, and craftsmanship. Shai and Danny share how they built a business rooted in treating every home and workplace as if it were their own, with a focus on cleanliness, precision, and professionalism that sets them apart from traditional contractors.

In this conversation, they talk about what it really means to be trusted inside someone’s space, why preparation and cleanliness matter just as much as the final paint job, and how their family-run approach has helped them earn the loyalty of clients across Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King City, and York Region.

Whether you’re planning a renovation, curious about running a service-based business, or just love hearing local success stories, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on pride in your work.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Shivani Persad, digital creator, brand marketer, and the voice behind liveshiv and New to Newmarket. ✨📱📍

A 30-something new to the area, Shivani has quickly become a go-to guide for discovering the best of Newmarket and Aurora. From hidden gems to cozy cafés to standout small businesses, she’s made it her mission to explore the community and share it with others through thoughtful, creative storytelling.

In addition to her work as a local content creator, Shivani is a brand marketer (with a new role announcement coming soon 👀) and a builder at New to Newmarket, where she helps fellow newcomers feel welcomed, connected, and informed about their town.

In this conversation, Shivani talks about her move to Newmarket, the joy of documenting local life, the power of community content, and how she balances creativity, career, and curiosity.

If you love supporting local, discovering new spots, or simply getting to know the people shaping our neighbourhood, this episode is a warm and inspiring listen.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Nina Sawaqed, owner of NüStachio, Newmarket’s home for fresh, flavourful nuts, coffee, and tea. ☕🥜✨

Nina shares the story behind her family-run shop, which was built on a simple yet powerful idea: offering high-quality products with genuine, personal service. From perfectly roasted nuts to rich, aromatic coffees and soothing teas, every item at NüStachio is carefully selected, sourced, and prepared with love.

In this conversation, Nina discusses the passion that drives her business, the joy of serving the community, and how she and her team create a warm and welcoming environment where customers always feel at home. Whether you’re stopping by for a favourite snack, picking up a thoughtful gift, or exploring new flavours, NüStachio aims to make every visit special.

If you love supporting local businesses, especially ones built on heart, quality, and community, this episode is a must-listen.

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof welcomes Pat, Anastasia & Kelly from Artistica Ballroom Dance Studio. 

Artistica believes dance should be joyful, inviting, and fun, never pretentious or intimidating. In this conversation, Pat, Anastasia and Kelly share how the studio turns learning into play, why community matters on the dance floor, and how they help students of all levels find confidence, rhythm, and joy.

They talk about the studio’s approach to teaching (think warm, supportive, and playful), the most common first-timer nerves and how they’re overcome, and what makes a weekly class feel like the highlight of someone’s week. Whether you’re curious about ballroom for date nights, fitness, or performing, this episode gives a welcoming behind-the-scenes look at how Artistica makes dance accessible to everyone.

Tune in for stories, practical tips for beginners, and the contagious enthusiasm of a team that truly believes: the studio is your playground.