As the driving force behind Toronto’s acclaimed Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, Janet Zuccarini is a rare blend of visionary and architect, crafting a culinary empire that pays homage to her Italian heritage while pushing the boundaries of what hospitality can be. Her restaurants, including the beloved Gusto 101 and the pasta-centric Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles, are more than dining destinations; they are community anchors, each designed to deliver a dining experience that balances warmth and precision, artistry, and authenticity.

For Janet, food has always been a universal language, a bridge connecting diverse backgrounds around a shared table. Rooted in her Italian upbringing, where meals were occasions for connection, she’s made it her life’s work to recreate that sense of gathering and nourishment for her guests. It’s this deeply personal ethos that informs each of her ventures. From hiring top-tier culinary talent to preserving traditional food craftsmanship, she’s not just feeding patrons—she’s honouring culture and tradition, making her restaurants feel like living museums that celebrate the artistry of handmade dishes.

In this episode, Lance sits down with Janet over a shared meal at her restaurant, Gusto 501, to talk about her entrepreneurial journey and business strategy, preserving culinary culture, and her most memorable meal at one of her restaurants (hint: Al Pacino may have been present).

In this episode, Lance sits down with Emily O’Brien, the inspiring founder of Comeback Snacks, whose entrepreneurial journey took root in an unexpected place: behind bars. From crafting gourmet popcorn flavours to driving meaningful change, Emily has turned a rocky past into a powerful platform for advocacy and second chances. Throughout their chat, Lance and Emily delve into her story of resilience and transformation, exploring how Comeback Snacks is not only breaking barriers in the snack industry but also leading efforts toward prison reform and reducing stigma around formerly incarcerated individuals. Listen as Emily shares insights on building a business with purpose, the challenges of navigating reentry, and her mission to create pathways for redemption and empowerment.

In this episode, Connie Lo, co-founder of Three Ships, joins Lance to discuss her journey in building a clean skincare brand with a mission to make beauty accessible for all. Connie shares her entrepreneurial story, from bootstrapping the company with just $4,000 to achieving significant growth and recognition in the industry. Throughout the conversation, she opens up about the challenges facing women in business, her experience as a young entrepreneur, and the importance of maintaining transparency and authenticity in the beauty world. Connie also dives into the evolving consumer demand for clean beauty, why sustainability matters, and the future of Three Ships. Tune in for an inspiring and honest look at entrepreneurship in the beauty space.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

In the high-pressure world of competitive figure skating, Canadian Olympian Piper Gilles has carved out a name for herself, not only through her artistry and athleticism but also through her resilience and advocacy.

Beyond the rink, Piper is a vocal advocate for women’s health and has turned her personal battle into a mission to inspire and educate. While being an elite athlete comes with its own share of personal sacrifice and struggle, it was her diagnosis with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in the spring of 2023 that tested the resilience and fortitude that she had built up for herself throughout the course of her career.

In this episode, the two-time Canadian Olympian and three-time World Figure Skating Championship Medalist sits with Lance and discusses her artistry through sport, advocacy, and celebrating her accomplishments in life.

In this episode, presented by Monogram Appliances Canada, Lance sits down with Madelyn Chung, founder of The RepresentASIAN Project, to discuss the complexities of cultural identity, Asian representation in media, and the ongoing work of breaking down systemic barriers within and outside the Asian community. Madelyn shares candid insights into her personal journey of embracing her roots, the impact of pivotal moments like Crazy Rich Asians, and how her platform has evolved to showcase not just success stories, but the nuanced experiences that make up the Asian diaspora. From navigating colorism and internal racism to advocating for solidarity between BIPOC communities, she opens up about the challenges and triumphs of amplifying Asian voices in media and beyond.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, Emerance Maschmeyer and Geneviève Lacasse share a story that uniquely sets them apart from their contemporaries. Both elite goaltenders with careers that span the highs of international competition (both were part of Canada’s national team) and the grit of the newly launched Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), they’ve faced it all. But off the ice, they’ve built a partnership that’s as formidable as their game-day personas. Navigating the pressures of elite sport, national team selections, and the rollercoaster of wins and losses, Emerance and Geneviève are redefining what it means to be a power couple in modern sports.

Speaking at the inaugural GLORY Sports Summit with Lance, the dynamic duo break down the art of balancing competition with connection, advice for aspiring athletes, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level—together.

Renowned for his dynamic fusion of pop culture iconography, Takaski Murakami has had a formidable impact on culture and art. From his groundbreaking partnership with Louis Vuitton to his haunting work for musician Billie Eilish, collaboration has always played a pivotal role in the Tokyo-based artist’s creative journey.

On the latest episode of the Mission Critical podcast, Lance sits down with the renowned artist for an intimate discussion about his career, collaboration, and what brought him to Toronto for the first time.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance welcomes David Shoemaker, the dynamic CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. As the world anticipates the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Shoemaker offers a compelling look into his distinctive leadership style and what it's like to lead an organization as unique as his. Elsewhere in the episode, Lance and David discuss the unifying power of sport in fostering community and national pride, and why 2024 is a milestone year for achieving gender equity.