Umber Talks
Umber Talks brings together the voices shaping the future of real estate, design, and business. From celebrated architects and city-builders to leading academics, and bold entrepreneurs, each episode uncovers the stories, strategies, and philosophies behind their success.
Episodes
35 episodes
Lessons in Development, Risk & Relationships with Simon Saab
In this episode of Umber Talks, host Shaun Denis sits down with Simon Saab, a hands-on builder who owns and manages multiple properties and has been directly involved in design, construction, property management, and investment. Beyond...
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58:13
Harvard Wisdom and the Future of City-Building - with Dr. David Gordon
What shapes the way cities grow, evolve, and inspire those who live within them? Few people can answer that question better than Dr. David Gordon, one of Canada’s most respected urban planners and a leading authority on city-building.
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1:34:18
Barry J. Hobin: The Story Behind Ottawa’s Most Recognizable Architect
In this episode of Umber Talks, host Shaun Denis sits down with Barry J. Hobin, the architect whose name has become synonymous with Ottawa’s skyline. Over nearly five decades, Barry has shaped the city through landmark projects ...
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1:19:30
Real Estate Meets Fitness: Adam Bracken’s Playbook for World-Class Client Experience
What does building a four-location fitness brand have in common with running a real estate brokerage? Everything, when it comes to client experience, brand loyalty, and leadership.In this episode of Umber Talks, host S...
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1:05:33
Restaurateur Stephen Beckta: Hospitality, Leadership & Life Lessons
In this episode of Umber Talks, host Shaun Denis sits down with Stephen Beckta, one of Canada’s most celebrated restaurateurs and the founder of the Beckta Restaurant Group, which includes Ottawa staples-&nb...
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58:00
Curating Style & Space: The Parallels Between Fashion and Real Estate with Charly Goss Style Inc.
In this episode of Umber Talks, we sit down with Maura Moore of Charly Goss Style Inc. to dive into the art of personal styling, wardrobe overhauls, and how fashion choices often mirror real estate decisions.Just lik...
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45:00
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Community: Oakville’s ACE Coworking Story with Nancy Fornasiero
In this engaging episode of Umber Talks, hosts Shaun Denis and Matthew Denis sits down with Nancy Fornasiero, the founder of ACE Coworking, to dive into the world of coworking, entrepreneurship, and ...
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58:16
Luxury Home Building in Oakville: An Inside Look with Top Builder Rob Ruso
In this must-listen episode of Umber Talks, hosts Shaun Denis and Matthew Denis sit down with Rob Ruso, one of Oakville’s top custom luxury home builders and the head of Ruso Development. With a ...
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55:32
Wisdom from One of the Greatest Real Estate Minds of the 21st Century – Dr. Peter Linneman
In this must-listen episode of Umber Talks, host Shaun Denis sits down with one of the greatest real estate minds of the 21st century—Dr. Peter Linneman. Trained under Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman...
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1:06:30
Real Estate, Diplomats, and 550 Doors: Jeff Gauthier’s Story
In this episode of Umber Talks, hosts Shaun Denis and Kristen Denis catch up with their longtime friend Jeff Gauthier, a seasoned real estate broker and property manager in Ottawa, Ontario. Jeff shares how he unexpectedly...
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58:48
Multimillion-Dollar Homes and the Art of Customization with Matt Denis
In this episode of umber talks, Kristen, Shaun, and Matt dive into the world of luxury real estate in Oakville. From stunning multimillion-dollar homes to the art of customization, we discuss the standout features and finishes that make these p...
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23:34
Inside Oakville: Mayor Rob Burton Talks Community, Business, and the Future
In this episode of Umber Talks, Shaun and Matt Denis sit down with Rob Burton, Mayor of Oakville, to explore what makes Oakville one of Canada’s most family-friendly and dynamic communities. From the town’s investment in shared spaces ...
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40:58
Real Estate, Sales, and Style with Megan Van Rijt
In this episode, we sit down with Megan van Rijt, Sales and Marketing Director at Parkview Homes, to explore her incredible journey through the world of real estate, sales, and design. From her early days as a designer to leading sales teams at...
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44:14
Open Mic: Share Your Thoughts on the Real Estate Market
In this special episode of Umber Talks, we turn the mic to you! Join us as Shaun and I explore key elements influencing the future of the housing market— from interest rates and housing supply to economic trends and more. As w...
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9:04
Mastering Your Money: Wealth Management 101 with Dan Enns
From the archives, we welcome back Dan Enns, Associate Advisor and wealth management expert, to dive into the essentials of financial planning. Dan shares his insights on managing client assets, creating comprehensive financial and estate plans...
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34:24
Mastering Commercial Real Estate: Sarah Vandenbelt's Expert Guide
In this episode, we welcome back Sarah Vandenbelt, a seasoned commercial real estate agent in Ottawa with deep roots in the industry. Sarah shares her extensive knowledge and experience working with business owners who purchase and occupy comme...
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32:01
From Inspiration to Creation: Architecture with Brandon Lawrence
In this episode, we welcome back architect Brandon Lawrence, a returning guest known for his extensive knowledge across all types of property builds. We dive deep into where Brandon draws his inspiration, explore the most popular materials and ...
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29:40
Buying Off the Plan: Navigating Pre-Construction with Derek Nzeribe
In this episode, we sit down with Derek Nzeribe, a renowned pre-construction expert, to explore the ins and outs of buying pre-construction properties. Derek provides an in-depth look at the entire process from a buyer’s perspective, sharing in...
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32:22
From Manhattan to Toronto: A Conversation with Umber Agent Matt Denis
In this episode, we sit down with our Toronto/GTA agent and brother, Matt Denis, to explore his fascinating journey in real estate. Matt shares his experiences living in New York, detailing his time as a mentor at a specialized school in Manhat...
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1:04:33
Real Estate Rundown: A Candid Chat with Kristen and Shaun
In this special episode, hosts Kristen and Shaun take a moment to check in and discuss a range of exciting topics. They explore the future of the podcast, including plans for international expansion, featuring more guests, and overall growth. K...
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50:25
Crafting Canada’s Capital: Alain Miguelez on Ottawa’s Urban Landscape
In this episode, we are joined by Alain Miguelez, a visionary at the National Capital Commission (NCC) and a leading force in urban planning, currently steering the future of Ottawa. Alain shares his captivating journey from a childhood fascina...
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48:00
From the Field to Real Estate: Ettore Lattanzio’s Playbook for Success
In this episode, we chat with Ettore "ET" Lattanzio, a former CFL player turned real estate agent at Umber Realty. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ettore shares his journey from professional football to real estate, highlighting how his athletic car...
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1:13:48
Mastering Mortgages: Expert Tips from Steven King
In this episode, we are joined by Steven King, a seasoned mortgage broker with a wealth of experience in the industry. Steven has built a reputation for exceptional client service and reliable financing solutions. He shares his journey in the b...
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1:07:25
Behind the Briefcase: Andrej Litvinjenko's Insights in Business Law
In this episode, we sit down with Andrej Litvinjenko, an esteemed business lawyer at TAAG, a multidisciplinary professional services firm based in Ottawa. Andrej opens up about his path to law, his inspirations, and his typical day balancing wo...
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1:05:36
Inside Umber: Chloe Denis on Sales, Efficiency, and Life at Umber
In this episode, we sit down with Chloe Denis, the Director of Business Development at Umber. Chloe shares her unique perspective on life at Umber, working closely with Shaun, Kristen and the dynamic team. Discover Chloe's journey from corporat...
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35:01