Poonicast.
The Poonicast, co-hosted by urban planning myth Gary Pooni, is a series of conversations that celebrates folks who are driving positive change in Greater Vancouver. We’re shining a spotlight on good people doing good things in the city and introducing you to some of our favourite locals. From actors and athletes to philanthropists and musicians, these hometown heroes will motivate and inspire you to make a difference in your own community.
Episodes
29 episodes
Episode 24: Mayor Mike Hurley: From Belfast to Burnaby
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 ...
Episode 23: Kam Badwal: Raising the Next Generation of Canadian Soccer
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 Newt...
Episode 22: Jane Talbot & Mike McDonald: Culture, Community, and the Future of Downtown
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, disco...
Episode 21: Kandyse McClure & Celeste Ziegler – Actors, Advocates, and Vancouver's Own
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 alo...
Episode 20: Lisa Spitale & Gerardo Corro - Building New Westminster From The Ground Up
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 ...
Episode 19: Sam, Bob & Dan Lenarduzzi: The Family That Built Canadian Soccer - Part 2
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 brothe...
Episode 19: Sam, Bob & Dan Lenarduzzi: The Family That Built Canadian Soccer - Part 1
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 t...
Episode 18: David Ousted & Martin McDermott: Vancouver's World Cup Moment
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' legend...
Episode 17: Murray Mollard: The Winning Pitch for Canadian Soccer - Part 2
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 B...
Episode 17: Murray Mollard: The Winning Pitch for Canadian Soccer - Part 1
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 dec...
Episode 16: Marc Bains & Hector Bremner, Life With Heart Disease - Part 2
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Poonicast, we sit down with two incredible guests: Marc Bains, co-founder and president of the HeartLife Foundation, and Hector Bremner, former Vancouver Councillor and a longtime friend of th...
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Episode 16: Marc Bains & Hector Bremner, Life with Heart Disease - Part 1
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Poonicast, we sit down with two incredible guests: Marc Bains, co-founder and president of the HeartLife Foundation, and Hector Bremner, former Vancouver Councillor and a longtime friend of th...
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Episode 15: Bob Lenarduzzi, Chris Higgins & Chanreet Bassi - Three Generations of Sport
On this episode of the Poonicast, three generations of elite athletes come together to discuss the rewards—and sacrifices—of a life in sport.Host Gary Pooni is joined by two Canadian sports icons: Bob Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps legend, Hall o...
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Episode 14: Jeff Norris, President & CEO of the RCH - Part 2
We had the privilege of sitting down with a true community leader on this episode of the Poonicast with Jeff Norris, President & CEO of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. Joining us in the co-host seat is registered nurse, Kayla Verla...
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Episode 14: Jeff Norris, President & CEO of the RCH - Part 1
We had the privilege of sitting down with a true community leader on this episode of the Poonicast with Jeff Norris, President & CEO of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. Joining us in the co-host seat is registered nurse, Kayla Verla...
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Episode 13: Seabus Memes, Local Social Media Satirist
We had the absolute honour and privilege of chatting with one of Vancouver’s most mysterious and hilarious figures on this episode of the Poonicast—the creator behind the cult-favorite Instagram account, Seabus Memes. In the co-host seat for th...
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Episode 12: Celeste Ziegler – Realtor, Actress, and Model
On Episode 12 of the Poonicast, we chat with Celeste Ziegler, a Vancouver-based realtor, actress, and model, about her journey from Los Angeles back home. She shares how she balances real estate deals with on-screen roles and gives a behind-the...
Episode 11: Doug Woodward – Beloved Teacher, Championship Coach and New West Legend
In Episode 11 of the Poonicast, we sit down with Doug Woodward—an educator and coach who spent more than four decades shaping the lives of students in New Westminster. From football fields to gymnasiums to international classrooms in Japan, Dou...
Episode 10: Max Mitchell – Wrestling Promoter, Creative Storyteller, and Founder of Boom! Pro Wrestling
What began as a one-off 40th birthday spectacle quickly became one of the most buzzed-about live shows in Vancouver. In this episode of the Poonicast, founder Max Mitchell shares the wild origin story behind Boom! Pro Wrestling—complete with ba...
Episode 9: Fred Lee - UBC Senior Director, Media Personality, and Philanthropy Leader
Episode 9 of the Poonicast features Vancouver’s beloved Fred Lee—charity auctioneer, media personality, and longtime UBC alumni director known for bringing heart, humour, and purpose to everything he does.Hosted by Pooni Group President ...
Episode 8: Victor Montagliani - President of Concacaf and Vice President of FIFA
Episode 8 of the Poonicast features one of the most influential voices in global football—Victor Montagliani, President of Concacaf and Vice President of FIFA.Co-hosted by Whitecaps captain Russell Teibert alongside Gary Pooni, this epis...
Episode 7 - Part 2: Former Whitecaps Head Coach Vanni Sartini and Longtime Captain Russell Teibert
Episode 7 of the Poonicast continues our conversation with former Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini and longtime captain Russell Teibert.In Part 2, we go deeper into the personal philosophies and experiences that shaped their journeys—f...
Episode 7 - Part 1: Former Whitecaps Head Coach Vanni Sartini and Longtime Captain Russell Teibert
Episode 7 Part 1 of the Poonicast features two iconic figures from Vancouver’s soccer community—former Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini and longtime team captain Russell Teibert.Co-hosted by Russell himself alongside Gary Pooni, this e...
Episode 6: UBC’s Managing Director of Athletics & Recreation Kavie Toor and UBC Thunderbirds’ Hockey Star Chanreet Bassi
Episode 6 of the Poonicast features two inspiring figures from UBC Athletics & Recreation—Managing Director Kavie Toor and UBC Thunderbirds hockey star Chanreet Bassi.Co-hosted by Pooni Group’s Director of Communications, Janine Verr...
Episode 5: Canada Wide Media’s CEO Ryan Benn and Editorial Director Anicka Quin
Episode 5 of the Poonicast features two of our favourite community-builders from Western Canada’s largest independent magazine publisher.Co-hosted by philanthropist and interior designer Natalie Miller, tune in as we catch up with Canada...
