In this inspiring episode of Table 6ix, hosts Tiana Atapattu Jayatunga and Dana Duncanson sit down with Aki Erenberg and Ricky Barrientos, the founders behind one of Toronto’s most talked-about food success stories: BEAR Steak Sandwiches. From a mother’s backyard during the Covid-19 lockdowns to becoming a Little Italy staple with a recently opened second location at The Well, Aki and Ricky share the grit, heart, and hustle behind their rise.This conversation dives into the power of community, the unseen intensity of building a food business from scratch and how documenting their journey through their YouTube docuseries The Backyard Boys is shaping the next chapter of their growth. Listeners will walk away inspired by their cultural influences, resilience through adversity, and their unshakable belief in bringing great food — and even greater storytelling — to Toronto.We also talk about:• The moment Aki & Ricky realized their backyard pop-up could become a full-scale Toronto restaurant success story.• What early chaos looked like — from long nights to juggling multiple jobs — and the lessons that stayed with them.• How their multicultural backgrounds influence their flavours, identity, and pride as POC founders.• The role community — both online and IRL — played in turning their sandwich into a citywide phenomenon.• What audiences can expect from The Backyard Boys docuseries, including behind-the-scenes stories and raw moments of self-reflection.• Their bold vision for the future, including their new location at The Well and what success looks like five years from now.Follow BEAR Steak Sandwiches on Instagram @bearsteaksandwiches and @thebackyardboysshow for the latest updates.Watch all episodes of The Backyard Boys Docuseries on YouTube @TheBackyardBoys-AkiRicky before or after you head over to The Well to try a sandwich yourself!Want more content from the table? Check out our socials: ✨ Follow on Instagram at @table6ixpodcast ✨ Follow on TikTok at @table6ix.podcast 🏆 Table 6ix is brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca

Ever find that you can’t seem to catch your breath? You may not even realize that you are holding it or that your shoulders are tense because you are busy at school or working or taking care of others. We sat down with transformational wellness educator, breath work facilitator, and entrepreneur Gio Bartholomeo to learn about the impact breath work can have on our professional and personal lives. It is an effective and easy aspect to integrate into a wellness plan and the most underrated!

We talk about reducing stress, unlocking emotional regulation, and reconnecting with the body through the breath as well as Gio’s start working with Wim Hof, The Iceman and the integration of other wellness practices like cold exposure, saunas, sleep and more.

Keep an eye out for the Mobility House Spotlight where show host, Tiana experiences a consultation and therapy treatment first-hand – the variety of treatments offered by such an experienced team downtown Toronto will reinvigorate and support your wellness plans all year long. 

We also talk about:

- How you could be breathing wrong right now & how to fix it

- How Toronto compares to other cities when it comes to wellness 

- Examples of different types of breathwork 

- Why breathwork is the secret tool that leaders utilize for high performance

- How the integration of breathwork with treatments from Mobility House will maximise your wellness plan 

- Practical tips and guidance to get started

Follow Gio Bartholomeo at @elementalgio & @elementalrhythm for free courses, content and more!

Follow Mobility House at @mobility_house - Your Home For All Things Wellness. 💪🏾

🚨 Discount code (6ix15) for 15% off all services

Want more content from the table? Check out our socials: 

✨ Follow on Instagram at @table6ixpodcast 

✨ Follow on TikTok at @table6ix.podcast 

🏆 Table 6ix is brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca

It’s time to stop feeling guilt and shame when the same old New Years’ resolutions don’t stick.

Instead, we are starting 2026 off strong with Dr. Sapna Sriram, a renowned leader and CEO in the field of sports medicine, rehabilitation, fitness, and sports performance to tackle how we can reframe wellness this year as something practical and personal - built through small, consistent habits rather than extreme routines or perfection.

We talk about starting a wellness journey to managing stress, prioritizing sleep, and recognizing early signs of burnout, this episode offers grounded guidance for modern life.

Stay tuned for the Sobr Market Spotlight on non-alcoholic drinks, unpacking the benefits of mindful consumption and how alcohol-free alternatives can support better energy, sleep, and social connection. Guess which one is everyone's favourite!

We also talk about:

- Sustainable wellness hacks

- The realities of setting intentions and changing habits

- Building a wellness vision that prioritizes the mind-body connection

- Working from home vs. commuting to the office

- The definition and accessibility of “quiet luxury”

- Staying resilient as both a mom and an entrepreneur

- Digital detox, screen time and more

What will your wellness journey look like this year? Let’s get it!

Follow Dr. Sapna Sriram at @drsapna and @integrahealth

Follow SOBR Market at @thesobrmarket

Want more content from the table? Check out our socials:

✨ Follow on Instagram at @table6ixpodcast

✨ Follow on TikTok at @table6ix.podcast

🏆 Table 6ix is brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca

Living longer doesn’t always mean living well. Holistic Fitness Coach and Healthspan Consultant Julian Ho joins us to unpack the real goal: to not just live longer, but expand the years we can enjoy sustained, optimal health

In our Table 6ix season two finale, we sit down with Toronto-based coach, speaker, and ultra-endurance athlete, Julian Ho, to explore healthspan and how it relates to maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being over time.

We talk about the circle of care that supports optimal health, why introspection is a critical component of living well, and why Toronto is quickly becoming a global hub for next-gen wellness culture.

We also get into:

• The latest wellness and biohacking trends - and if they live up to the hype
• The importance of specificity in one’s approach to wellness and healthspan
• Why you don’t need to be rich to be healthy and examples from global Blue Zones
• The underrated habit Julian swears by everyday for optimal healthspan
• Why bringing it back to self and identifying your ethos is a critical step in one’s healthspan journey 
• The deep, reflective questions he asks new clients in coaching them to achieve their healthspan goals
• Julian’s favourite wellness destination in Toronto - it will surprise you! 
• The wellness leaders Julian listens to for inspiration 

Plus, Julian shares how he celebrated his recent ultramarathon race (he placed 5th out of 169 racers) and what he ate first. 

Follow Julian @julianho.ca or visit: www.julianho.ca.

To read more about his 100-mile race on May 24, 2025, see here. 

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

Two of downtown Toronto’s most popular places to hang out didn’t start with glossy plans or big budgets. They started with two guys who saw potential in empty land who had the vision, creativity and gumption to do something with it.

In this episode, we talk with Oliver Geddes (RendezViews) and Matt Rubinoff (STACKT Market), two of the people behind Toronto’s most talked-about outdoor spaces. Their projects may look effortless now, but getting there involved a mix of grit, rule-bending, and a lot of negotiating with the city.

We explore the origin stories behind both spaces, delve into the philosophy of placemaking in a city like Toronto, and discuss what it takes to build community spaces that are made for locals and loved by visitors. 

We talk about:

• How STACKT evolved from a cluster of shipping containers into a barrier-free public space and launchpad for small businesses - part incubator, part hangout, and fully rooted in community connection.
• How RendezViews turned an empty parking lot into Toronto’s largest outdoor patio, art park, and gathering space for over half a million people.
• Oliver’s call for city politics to reduce red tape and embrace creative development.
• Around the 16:45-minute mark, Oliver talks about the legendary after-hours hang out, The Matador, in a way that’s funny, heartfelt, and deeply nostalgic for anyone who remembers late-night Toronto.
• Why being “temporary” unlocked more creative freedom, and how that might be the key to innovative city design. 
• When a pop-up space becomes part of people’s lives - from first dates to playoff game memories.
• Why Oliver says a day at STACKT Market was the best day he’d had in Toronto in a long time.
• Why you may catch Elmo twerking at a RendezViews event.

During Quick Bites, Oliver shares his favourite view of the city, the land Matt would love to develop next, and what they’d each do with a $1 Million grant. 

Stick around ‘til the end to hear their love letters to Toronto.

Follow RendezViews at @rendezviewsto and STACKT Market at @stacktmarket

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram at @table6ixpodcast

Table 6ix is brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

TIFF is turning 50 - and the man behind it all is joining us at the table.

Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, joins us to talk about curating The TIFF Story in 50 Films, a retrospective series that dives into the festival’s defining moments over the past five decades. From the cult classics to the Oscar darlings, the controversial premieres to the crowd-pleasers, these are the films that helped build TIFF into the global launchpad it is today.

He breaks down how the 50 films were chosen (and why he was “ready for a fight”), shares behind-the-scenes stories, and reflects on TIFF’s evolution from “Festival of Festivals” to a cultural institution shaping the way people see the world through film.

We also flip the script with a special segment we call  “Quick Bites” where he chooses between socks or no socks, front row or back row, and which fictional character he’d pick to run the festival for a day.

We talk about:

• How The TIFF Story in 50 Films came together, and the heated debates behind the picks
• Why The Princess Bride was chosen to open the series and kick off Downtown Movies in the Park on July 9 at David Pecaut Square
• TIFF’s impact on Toronto’s identity, economy, and global cultural standing
• The Oprah moment, Precious, and the power of championing difficult stories
• TIFF’s Oscar impact and why the People’s Choice Award has serious clout
• The future of film in the TikTok and YouTube era
• TIFF’s Next Wave Festival and connecting with younger audiences
• Why Cameron says 1999 might be the best year for film, ever

And stick around until the end. We surprise Cameron with something sweet to celebrate TIFF’s 50th.. Let’s just say, there’s cake.

Plus, his love letter to Toronto? You won’t see it coming.

The TIFF Story in 50 Films runs all summer at TIFF Lightbox.

Downtown Movies in the Park kicks off July 9 at David Pecaut Square: six free outdoor screenings with live performances, film intros, and TIFF’s famous popcorn. Grab your blanket and your friends - you don’t want to miss this series.

Follow TIFF - @tiff_net

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast

Table 6ix is brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

Traffic, congestion, construction – every growing city experiences these challenges along the path to progress. While change can feel disruptive at times, the result is a stronger, more connected city for all. Downtown Toronto, like many urban centres, is evolving to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. 

We sit down with the person guiding the vision for our city’s future: Jason Thorne, Toronto’s new Chief City Planner. 

Known for his creative and community-first approach, Jason brings years of experience leading downtown revitalization projects in Hamilton, and now oversees city planning for THE fastest-growing city in North America (and the fastest growing area within Toronto - the King West district).

Jason says growth is the clay for city building. It’s the raw material. But it’s what we do with it that matters. From designing joyful public spaces to navigating competing priorities and planning ahead for a city that is projected to have 4 million people, he’s thinking beyond building applications and approvals. His job is to make Toronto feel like home.

We talk about:

• What a “beautiful city” actually means and why it matters right now
• How to balance rapid growth with livable neighbourhoods
• Why the experience of a neighbourhood matters just as much as housing and density
• Parks & public spaces and why they’re essential and not just ‘nice to have’
• The role of design in sparking civic pride and mental well-being
• Why heritage buildings still matter and how Toronto gets it right by integrating old with new
• What “considerate construction” actually looks like
• How to handle priorities that often seem to conflict—bike lanes vs traffic, growth vs preservation
• Why consultation with business leaders, community members, and neighbourhood associations are an integral part of city planning
• Why Toronto is recognized as one of the best cities in the world

Plus: In our rapid fire round, Quick Bites, Jason shares a public space that brings him joy, how his background in environmental activism compliments his role today, and the international cities that inspire him. He also talks about settling into life as a new Leslieville resident, and how exploring his own neighbourhood is shaping how he sees the city.

Follow Jason Thorne - @jasonthorne_rpp and @cityofto

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

Dating in 2025 isn’t easy - no matter who you are. In an era where connection is just a swipe away, finding something genuine feels harder than ever. Despite the abundance of options, mismatches are common, and hope can make us overlook red flags and empty promises. 

So what’s really going on? Is it you? Is it me? Do we need to work on ourselves - or are there really no good guys left in Toronto?

In this episode, we sit down with Jen Kirsch, a Toronto dating and relationship expert, CBC Contributor, former Toronto Star columnist, and host of Date Nite with Jen on NewsTalk 1010. 

Jen offers a refreshingly honest take on what’s really going on in Toronto’s dating scene, and how to stop chasing love in all the wrong places.

In this episode we cover:

• Why so many people say there are “no good men in Toronto” and what’s really behind that belief
• Dating burnout in 2025: what causes it, and how to reset
• How to meet people in Toronto without using dating apps
• Red flags to watch for in today’s dating culture
• What “dating for the plot” really means - and why it’s not as fun as it sounds
• The rise of the “Single by Choice” era - and how solo dating can lead to real confidence (and connection)

Plus: Jen shares her go-to spots in downtown Toronto for coffee dates, introvert-friendly hangs, and the best places to meet people in Toronto if you're over the apps.

Love in the 6ix? It’s complicated. Jen Kirsch breaks it down - so you can stop guessing and start connecting. 

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Follow Jen Kirsch @jen_kirsch

Catch her on Date Nite with Jen, Fridays at 9:00 pm on NewsTalk 1010.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

Toronto is a fast-growing economic hub of Canada, and at the helm is a fearless, bold leader ready to take on the challenges of a complex, high-stakes city.

A lifelong champion of community voices, Mayor Olivia Chow has never shied away from tough moments. Her decades-long political career reflects a deep commitment to making Toronto more liveable, just, and connected - from protesting for human rights in the 1970s, to serving as a School Board Trustee in the 1980s, representing Toronto in Parliament in the early 2000s, and now leading the city as Mayor.

We talk about

• What it means to lead from lived experience, and why she brings community voices into the process, not just around it.
• How infrastructure, equity, and economic development intersect in a city that’s growing fast.
• How she finds common ground in working with different levels of government and conflicting priorities. 
• Why supporting local business isn’t just good PR - it’s a survival strategy.
• How Toronto’s free summer festivals are inclusive, provide people with a sense of belonging and contribute to the city’s unique identity.
• How she stays grounded in a city that’s always in motion.
• And Toronto’s unofficial mascot - raccoons.

Plus, don’t miss Mayor Chow answering our rapid fire round we call “Quick Bites”, and when we ask her to weigh in on some of the most iconic moments in her career (and life!).

Follow Mayor Olivia Chow @mayoroliviachow

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.YourExperienceAwaits.ca.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.

It’s Season 2 and we’re back at the table…Table 6ix, that is.

Our first guest? The magnetic and fiercely passionate Elie Chivi, Executive Director of Inside Out, Canada’s biggest 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.

For 35 years, Inside Out has been a gutsy, unapologetic space for queer filmmakers, talent, and audiences to connect, disrupt, and celebrate queer stories that refuse to be sidelined. Elie’s got a powerful backstory - from growing up in the Middle East to leading Canada’s top film festival for queer storytelling. He’s spilling all the tea on the festival’s roots, the 2025 Inside Out lineup, and opening up about how movies saved his life.

We talk about:

• The raw power of queer storytelling in film, and why it’s still a radical act of defiance – even in 2025
• Inside Out’s 35th anniversary theme: “All In”  is a call to action urging everyone to participate in shaping a future where justice, love, and equality are prioritized
• The Inside Out 2025 program highlights - from blockbuster premieres to must-see underground films you won’t want to miss!
• Why queer spaces in Toronto need to stay loud, political, and a little bit unruly

Plus, we’re having some fun with two of our signature Table 6ix segments:

• Quick Bites: Elie spills on the first film that made him feel seen, his dream Q&A guest (dead or alive), and what’s in his film fest survival kit.
• Love Letter to Toronto: What would Elie write in his love letter to the city?

– Toronto’s Inside Out Film Festival 2025 runs in-person and online May 23 to June 1.

– Get your tickets and explore the full lineup of must-see 2SLGBTQ+ films now at www.InsideOut.ca/festival

LINKS:

More about Elie Chivi

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Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: www.yourexperienceawaits.ca.

Follow Table 6ix on Instagram @table6ixpodcast.

Table 6ix brought to you by the Toronto Downtown West BIA. For more information, visit: Table6ixPodcast.com.