The FOLD

Rahel Beyene is a missing link. You learn this about her when she walks in a room. Introduces you to someone new. Recognizes and highlights your gifts. Pursues a new idea. Born and raised in Toronto, Rahel is a thread that weaves through the city's fabric, showcasing creativity with meaningful opportunities to collaborate and share through her company, Creatives Connect. In this episode of the Fold, Rahel and I discuss industry ecosystems worldwide, family matters, leading by example and how fusing focus with passion manifests magic.

Make Room is a Toronto-based non-profit is holding space for artists, helping them to grow, removing labels and breaking barriers to creativity. In this episode, Ola gets into The Fold with founder, Trevor Twells, to discuss the project's evolution, his diverse career background, Toronto's indie art community and how we can foster collaboration with a wider lens.

Jessica Compton is rooted. Her resources are the branches that extend to communities local and beyond. Tree Of Stars is her sandbox, where she builds programs that support mental health awareness and addictions recovery . We get into the Fold to discuss Tree of Stars' active practice, collaboration and change needed for communities to thrive.

Tanya Mok is a Toronto born and bred creative and journalist with unique vision. A friend since university, I have witnessed her growth and success throughout numerous creative collabs, producing a documentary, freelance journalism to her role today, as a writer at blogTO and member of the Sandbox community. As she shares this unique vision with the communities around her, we get into the Fold of her Toronto upbringing, work ethic and storytelling method, city issues in focus and how we can show up for our community, and one another, with compassion, understanding and a vibrant lens.

Cadillac Lounge is a Toronto institution that has been around for nearly two decades. On Sunday, July 14, it takes its final spin (this time, for real) on Queen Street West, marking it an iconic venue and community space for music lovers, locals and visitors alike. Owner, Sam Grosso, created a safe space for live tunes, great food, cold beer and friends. His work ethic and innate ability to connect with others is rooted in his upbringing, yet, he's crafted hospitality in the city that's unparalleled, and driven entirely by his story. We get into The Fold to discuss Cadillac Lounge's legacy in Toronto and the community that will live on after the engine is turned off.

The [204] Design Collective is an environmental design group that exposes inequality by bringing their own building blocks to the foundation, for the construction process amplifies voices, while engaging with the world. Ola and the [204] get into The Fold for a global chat over Google Hangouts to discuss their alternative approach, project repertoire, educational vacations, and supportive work methods.

ISO Radio is transcending the meaning of a movement with their community-driven platform in Toronto. Founders Jayemkayem and Freeza Chin, are at the helm, merging their layered talents to build something from the ground up. In this episode, they unfold to discuss the UK trip that inspired it all, their special partnership, complementary skills, developing their Bare Selection record label to cross the pond through sonics, and resources that can help bring people and platforms into The Fold.

For Somewherelse, you might tap into these emotions, and beyond. The Toronto-based company with international impact lives up to its name, embodying an otherworldly vibe, exploring communities far and wide, all within radius of your own.

Above the noise and chaos of social media, consumerism and materialistic realms, Somewherelse invites audiences to tap into human connection through live music, art, performance and creative approaches to brand partnerships. While inspiring people to revisit what brings them joy, in safe, inclusive spaces.

In this episode, Ola had the pleasure of speaking with Anna Wiesen, Kalyn Fantasia and George Davies of Somewherelse about their innovative vision, foundation and the recipe for a team that brings people into #TheFold.

Emily O'Brien, Founder of Comeback Snacks shares insight on life in prison, compassion on all fronts, perseverance through popcorn and bringing ex-cons into the Fold to eradicate stigma and inspire growth.