Community Is the Moat: Vancouver Tech, Canadian Media, and the Offline Reset — with William Johnson

In this episode of Canada Now, I’m joined by William Johnson — Vice President of Strategy & Operations at Overstory Media Group and founder of Vancouver Tech Journal — for a wide-ranging conversation on what’s really shifting in Canada’s innovation ecosystem in 2026.

We unpack the current pragmatic reset in venture and startups, why Vancouver’s tech community feels both exciting and precarious, and why the next era of innovation may be defined less by hype… and more by trust, niche communities, and offline connection.

William shares a powerful thesis: as AI begins creating and distributing more of what we see online, the real moat for founders, brands, and media may be building in the real world — turning audiences into communities through meaningful convening.

If you care about Canadian tech, media, storytelling, or the future of community-driven business, this one is a must-listen.

We cover:

• Vancouver’s tech evolution since the last major growth wave
• What’s changing in venture capital and early-stage investing
• Why “community is the moat” in 2026
• The shifting media landscape in Canada (and the distribution challenge)
• AI, the “dead internet” theory, and what it means for creators
• Why micro-events and offline convening are becoming the new edge

Connect with William on LinkedIn, and follow his work through Overstory Media Group and Vancouver Tech Journal. 

Episode feature article and show notes now available (subscribe to https://canadanow.beehiiv.com for updates). 

Love the show? Help it grow! 
→ Subscribe, Review, and Share 🍁 

Follow Canada Now for bold ideas and real conversations shaping what’s next in Canada. 🇨🇦
→ All Links (including socials)
→ YouTube
→ Canada Now Newsletter (subscriber perks coming soon!) 

Meet the host, Ashley Smith! 🙋‍♀️
→ Ashley's links (social, website, + more)