
Mike and Steve sit down with local entrepreneurs Liana Bacon and Dan Guillemette, the creative force behind several downtown Sudbury businesses, including the Night Owl and the popular, rapidly growing Knox Hall.After purchasing the historic Knox Presbyterian Church in June 2023, Liana and Dan transformed the building into a vibrant live music, performance, and entertainment venue. They share the story behind their growing portfolio, their vision for downtown Sudbury, and what it takes to turn ambitious ideas into thriving community spaces.
Jul 18
37 min

Mike and Steve sit down with Max Massimiliano, the pizza legend behind Don’s Pizza, for a loaded episode of Unlikely Innovators.The crew talks all things pizza, the upcoming HSN Pizza Eating Contest, local politics, community, and the burning question of the year: can Mike dethrone an NHL player and take the top spot in this year’s contest?Pull up a chair, grab a slice, and enjoy the conversation.
Jul 4
23 min

This week, we’re inside the ovens, stories, and serious hustle behind one of Sudbury’s go-to Italian bakeries.Paolo Massimiliano joins The Unlikely Innovators to talk tradition, taste, community, and the kind of craft that keeps people lined up and coming back. From old-school Italian baking to building a shop with real soul, Paolo breaks down what makes his bakery more than just a place to grab bread.It’s food, family, culture, and Sudbury pride — fresh out of the oven.
Jun 9
44 min

Mike and Steve welcome back almost-show-regular Gabe Roy from Stitch and Stone for a dive into fashion hot takes, Sudbury style, and a very questionable Sudbury Top 5.Clothes. Chaos. Class. Gabe Roy.Like, comment, and subscribe for more Unlikely Innovators.
May 22
38 min

This week on The Unlikely Innovators Podcast, Steve and Mike sit down with Sudbury curling superstar and Olympic bronze medalist Tracy Fleury. From growing up in Northern Ontario to competing on the biggest stage in sports, Tracy shares what it’s really like chasing Olympic dreams while carrying the pride of a hockey-and-curling obsessed country on your shoulders.
May 15
34 min

This week on The Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve are joined by Sudbury’s own Mauro Nero — a well-known local character and the show’s special correspondent.Mauro brings his unique perspective, local stories, and signature personality to the conversation as the guys dive into life in Sudbury, community characters, and the unexpected paths that make someone an unlikely innovator. Expect laughs, insights, and a few classic Mauro moments along the way.Whether you know Mauro from around town or you’re meeting him for the first time, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Mar 6
52 min

From unforgettable stories to hard-earned wisdom, Joe delivers the energy, perspective, and authenticity that have made him a legend. This episode dives into the moments that shaped him, the mindset behind longevity, and why passion still matters.
Feb 27
31 min

Mike and Steve sit down with Cameron Lizotte, the creative force behind the iconic Great Canadian Jersey. Cameron shares the story behind the design, the inspiration that brought it to life, and what it takes to turn a bold idea into a national symbol.From creative process to unexpected challenges, it’s a conversation about innovation, identity, and betting big on a vision.Plus… Steve gets sandbagged again. Some things never change.
Feb 19
45 min

Mike and Steve welcome Marie Litalien, President and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, to The Unlikely Innovators for a candid conversation about leadership, advocacy, and driving economic growth in the region.
Feb 6
33 min

On the season finale of the Unlikely Innovators, Mike and Steve sat down with Andrea Benoit, aka NOVA, to talk about her journey into professional wrestling. Andrea talked about balancing her career as a police officer with her aspirations in the ring. She talked about some of her wrestling influences, how she decided on the name NOVA, and some of the finer points of the industry. Andrea did put the guys in a headlock, but released them in time to launch this episode.
Jan 14
24 min
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