AVD INSPIRE: MEET CANADA’S TOP DESIGNERS, CREATIVES AND ENTREPRENEURS
THIS IS WHERE CREATIVITY GETS LIT
Aly invites you into the vibrant, real, and sometimes messy world of artistry, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.
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AVD INSPIRE is where global interior design meets unfiltered creativity. Hosted by Designer and Creative Director Alykhan Velji, this podcast goes behind the scenes of the design industry with editors, makers, and artists redefining the spaces we live in. Each week, Aly lights a candle to spark the creative process and dives into raw, inspiring conversations about staying creative through the chaos. From big wins to flops—this is interior design with heart, humour, and zero ego.
Think weirder. Design better. Trust your gut again. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s your creative spark.
E1 Marilyn Denis: From her 49-year reign across Canadian radio and television to her timeless wisdom on reinvention, legacy, and self-worth, Marilyn opens up like never before. The two dive into everything from therapy and personal check-ins to career pivots, iconic interviews, and their shared Calgary connection — with a few surprises along the way (Stevie Nicks, Beyoncé, and a very memorable birch tree wallpaper). @marilyndenis
E2 Peter Pappetrou: Celebrity stylist and creative powerhouse Peter Papapetrou joins Aly for a deep, dynamic conversation on identity, reinvention, and dressing with intention. From childhood makeovers in his family basement to many years on The Marilyn Denis Show and couture runs in Paris, Peter’s story is bold, beautiful, and deeply inspiring. Now splitting time between Toronto and Miami, Peter shares how vintage shopping in Amsterdam and marrying the love of his life led to a full-circle reset. He’s turning the lens on himself—and encouraging you to do the same. @peterpapetrou1
E3 Murray Duncan: What happens when you step away from something safe to pursue something soulful? In this inspiring episode of AVD Inspire, Aly Velji sits down with Toronto-based contemporary artist Murray Duncan to talk about creativity, courage, and the choice to start again—this time with purpose. After years of running his beloved retail store Hardware in Toronto, Canada, Murray followed an inner pull toward art. That leap turned into a career rooted in storytelling, emotion, and deep personal alignment. His work often described as an emotional visual diary—has now been featured in top publications and homes across North America. @murray_duncan_studio
E4 Jonathan Sotto: Aly Velji sits down with Jonathan Sotto — Director of Business Development at the Global Creative Design Studio Yabu Pushelberg — for a conversation that’s equal parts style, soul, and show-stopping resilience. From cold-calling firms straight out of school to now leading business across Asia and the Americas, Jonathan shares the behind-the-scenes story of how grit, good timing, and knowing when to pivot shaped his two-decade journey in the world of design. The two dive into everything from imposter syndrome to the importance of feedback, what it's like to make bold career decisions, and why giving back to yourself matters just as much as giving your all. @yesitsjonathan
E5 Stanley Sun: First, he was a scientist; then, an artist; and now, a designer. Stanley Sun is the co-founder and creative director of the Toronto-based, interior design and art consultancy, Mason Studio. With projects located on almost every continent, Stanley’s hotels, restaurants, retail shops, exhibitions, art installations, and residences use science-based thinking to inform his art and design visions. @stan1eysun
E6 Kate MacNeill: Aly sits down with lighting designer and creative entrepreneur Kate MacNeill, founder of Concord Custom Lighting — the all-female Canadian studio known for crafting bespoke light fixtures for luxury residential and high-end hospitality interiors.
E7 Simone Elizabeth Saunders: The brilliant and bold Simone Elizabeth Saunders is one of Canada’s most celebrated contemporary textile artists. Her hand-tufted portraits are more than art — they’re powerful statements rooted in Black womanhood, visual storytelling, and ancestral connection. Simone's rise from a decade-long career in theatre to becoming a globally recognized fiber artist is nothing short of inspiring. Her work has been exhibited in major galleries from Toronto to Miami, featured in Forbes, CBC, and Colossal, and now lives inside her stunning new book, Encompass the Galaxy. @simoneelizabethsaunders
E8 TJ Edmondson: President & Owner of Windsor Workshop and Co-Founder of Local Made Market. His story is a masterclass in following your gut, taking the leap, and building a life with your hands, your heart, and a whole lot of sawdust. TJ’s journey began in the world of management consulting, racking up hotel loyalty points and living out of airport lounges. But when the pandemic hit, he swapped boardrooms for the woodshop, taking over one of North America’s most iconic furniture makers and carrying forward its legacy of handcrafted Windsor chairs. @teejdmondson
E9 Laura Noriega: Founder and Creative Director of TRIBUTO, a design brand that celebrates Mexico’s cultural heritage through timeless, handmade objects. Laura’s story is all about leaving, returning, and rediscovering her creative roots. She studied and worked in Barcelona, Milan, and even Kyoto — chasing inspiration all over the world. But when she returned to Guadalajara, she found her true calling: reconnecting with her culture and championing the artisans who keep traditional craft alive. @laura_noriega