In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni and co-host Sabine sit down with Mayor Mike Hurley of Burnaby, a man whose journey from a tiny council home in rural Northern Ireland to city hall is anything but ordinary.

Mike opens up about growing up one of eight kids during the Troubles, a £7 guitar his mom borrowed money to buy, and touring Europe and North America as a teenage musician before landing in Vancouver. He shares what it was like to witness apartheid firsthand in South Africa at 17, and how the experiences that shaped him: carpentry, firefighting, leading BC firefighters to build a burn survivors facility all eventually led him to public service.

It's a kind, honest conversation about humble beginnings, the power of community, and why the best leaders are the ones who never forget where they came from.

This podcast was recorded in June 2026

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni and co-host Kavi Tur sit down with Kam Badwal, South Asian community advocate and father of Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Jeevan Badwal.

Kam shares his journey from a village in Punjab to Newton, Surrey, arriving at 15 with no English and building a life rooted in faith, family, and football. He opens up about what it really took to raise three elite athletes, from Jeevan's early days at age three to Manav becoming the youngest player to debut for Whitecaps 2 in MLS Next Pro.

Together they dig into the multi-sport philosophy that shaped Jeevan and why sleep, diet, and discipline matter as much as talent at the professional level.

It's a warm, honest conversation about immigrant resilience, intentional parenting, and what it means to raise kids who earn their minutes.

This podcast was recorded in June 2026.

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni and new co-host Jamie Gladman sit down with Jane Talbot, CEO of Downtown Vancouver BIA, and Mike McDonald, owner of Library Square Public House.

Mike opens up about growing up in Whalley, discovering Vancouver's underground culture scene, and what it really means to run a community public house in the heart of the city. Jane traces her journey from small-town Pennsylvania to running one of the largest BIAs in Canada — building safety ambassador programs, a Safe Walk service, and a Granville Street pedestrianization that nobody had tried before.

Together they dig into the red tape that holds great ideas back, the hidden gems most people have never heard of, and why the best downtowns are built by people who refuse to give up on them.

This podcast was originally recorded on April 17, 2026.

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni sits down with two returning Poonicast favourites: Kandyse McClure, known for her roles in Battlestar Galactica and Virgin River, and Celeste Ziegler, currently starring in Upload on Amazon Prime alongside her thriving Vancouver real estate career.

 Kandyse opens up about her growing community work in New Westminster, from the New West Film Festival to Education Without Borders and their remarkable work in South Africa's Western Cape. Celeste shares what it's like to balance life on screen with life in Deep Cove, and why Vancouver keeps pulling her back.

Together they get into the craft, why the audition room meant everything and what's been lost since self-tapes took over and what it really means to build a life and career in a city that isn't Hollywood but might just be better.

It's a warm, funny conversation about talent, community, and why two of Vancouver's most versatile performers keep choosing to call this city home.

This podcast was originally recorded in November 2025

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni sits down with Lisa Spitale, outgoing CAO of the City of Westminster after 33 years of public service, and Gerardo Corro, Executive Director of Tourism New Westminster — joined by Grade 8 provincial debate champion Luella.

Together, they explore the immigrant roots, careers, and community connections that shaped their journeys in New Westminster. Lisa reflects on 33 years of city-building, from the riverboat casino and Westminster Pier Park to the Anvil Centre, while Gerardo shares how collaboration and creativity helped elevate New West’s tourism profile.

They discuss the city’s hidden gems, multi-generational families, civic pride, and what makes New Westminster a place people choose to call home.

A conversation about legacy, community, and the people who continue to shape BC’s first capital.

Recorded in December 2025.

In Part 2 of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni and co-host Amela continue their conversation with Sam, Bob, and Dan Lenarduzzi, beginning with the unforgettable story of how a teammate's black eye led to Dan's first professional start.

The brothers reflect on the historic moment all three shared the field and combined for a goal, discuss how today's young players earn opportunities compared to their era, and share their pride in helping build youth soccer in BC and shape the Whitecaps academy.

They also look ahead to the future of Canadian soccer with the World Cup coming to Vancouver, before wrapping up with the Pooni Poll, a few celebrity crushes, and a classic dad joke.

This podcast was recorded on May 26, 2026.

In this special episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni and co-host Amela sit down with Sam, Bob, and Dan Lenarduzzi three brothers whose legacy helped shape Canadian soccer.

They share their family's journey from Italy to Vancouver, where their father built a life through homemade cheese and wine, and reflect on growing up beside Empire Stadium, playing soccer in the laneway, and the close-knit family that fueled their passion for the game.

Bob recounts leaving for England at just 14 to pursue professional soccer, while Sam reflects on representing Canada at 17 and winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl before 100,000 fans in Vancouver.

It's a story of family, perseverance, and the lasting impact of one remarkable soccer family on the Canadian game.

This podcast was recorded on May 26, 2026.

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni sits down with two of Vancouver Whitecaps' most beloved figures: David Ousted, former Whitecaps goalkeeper and new Sporting Director of Kamloops United FC, and Martin McDermott, the Whitecaps' legendary Kit Man now in his 14th season with the club.

Together they relive a season nobody saw coming, the players who made it unforgettable, and what makes the Whitecaps culture unlike anything else in MLS. From a historic run to the MLS Cup Final to the magic of a nine-man comeback at BC Place.

David reflects on life after the pitch, building pathways for young players in Kamloops, and bringing top European clubs to BC. Martin shares what it's really like behind the scenes when your team defies every prediction and makes it all the way to Miami.

It's a warm, funny conversation about loyalty, football culture, and why the World Cup arriving in Vancouver might just change everything.

This podcast was recorded on January 9, 2026.

In Part 2 of their conversation, Gary Pooni and co-host Bob Lenarduzzi continue their discussion with Murray Mollard, author of Winning Pitch picking up where they left off on the state of Canadian soccer and what comes next.

Murray and Bob dig deeper into what it will really take to build a soccer nation with staying power, from the role of MLS academies and the CPL to the investors quietly making it all possible. They reflect on the key moments that defined Canadian soccer history, from the Gold Cup coin toss to what it felt like to finally qualify for a World Cup on home soil.

The conversation turns to the 2026 tournament itself, what Vancouver will look like, what Canada needs to do to get out of the group stage, and why this moment feels different from anything that came before it.

Murray and Bob also take on the Pooni Poll, share their favourite players past and present, and close out with one very well-earned keeper joke.

This podcast was recorded in April 2026.

In this episode of the Poonicast, Gary Pooni sits down with Murray Mollard: player, writer, and author of Winning Pitch and special co-host Bob Lenarduzzi, North American Soccer Player of the Year in 1978, for a conversation that spans five decades of Canadian soccer.

Murray opens up about his journey from Regina to Vancouver, how a VW van-driving coach with a 1974 World Cup Adidas ball first sparked his love of the game, and what drove him to write the book that Canadian soccer has always deserved, but never had. He shares the stories behind the pages  including Alan Ball's famous halftime ultimatum, the water meter reader from Victoria who scored the goals that got Canada to its first ever World Cup, and why after 36 years this country should never miss a World Cup again.

Together, Murray and Bob dig into what it will really take to build a soccer nation with staying power. From the role of MLS academies and the CPL to the investors quietly making it all possible, and why the 2026 World Cup coming to Vancouver could be the moment that changes everything.

This podcast was recorded in April 2026.