Passion Projects with Payal

Luka Stoikos First Olympic Games with Team Canada

Meet 22-year-old Luka Stoikos, set to represent Team Canada in the 4-man bobsleigh event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.After four years of football with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and a CFL draft pick that didn’t go as planned, Luka made a bold pivot. In just over a year in bobsleigh, he earned his place on Canada’s national team.In this episode, Luka opens up about changing lanes at the highest level, the mindset behind elite performance, and what it means to step onto the Olympic stage representing Canada.A story of resilience, reinvention, and earning your moment.

How to Build Financial Confidence in Uncertain Times

Money stress is everywhere right now, and so many people are quietly carrying it alone.I sit down with Alok Deshpande, CEO of SmartPath and the creator of  @ask-frank, the first AI-native financial advisor built for Main Street. For over a decade, he’s helped tens of thousands of families move from financial chaos to real confidence.We’re talking about what financial wellness truly looks like, why this conversation matters right now, and how anyone can take the first step toward feeling more grounded and in control of their money.

From Production Assistant to Making History in Sports Media

She didn’t wait for a seat at the table — she built one in sports media. In this episode, we sit down with ⁠ ⁨@KellySaco⁩ ⁠, a reporter, host, and producer covering the Marlins and the Heat for ⁠ ⁨@fanduelsportsnetwork⁩ ⁠, for an honest conversation about building a career in sports media. From starting out in utility roles to earning Emmy moments, Kelly reflects on becoming the first female analyst on the ⁠ ⁨@marlins⁩ ⁠ Radio Network in 31 years and what that milestone meant personally and professionally. We also delve into how her background as an athlete at ⁠ ⁨@SyracuseU⁩ ⁠ shaped her approach to storytelling, the unseen work behind the highlight reels, the rise of women’s sports, and a rapid-fire round that reveals who she is beyond her job.

The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays: A Season to Remember

Not over the Blue Jays’ 2025 season? Me neither. I sit down with Andrew Stoeten, creator of The Bat Flip Substack and co-host of the Blue Jays Happy Hour podcast, to unpack a season that reignited fandom across Toronto even without the trophy. We talk heartbreak, perspective, and how Andrew built a career as a sports writer.Hear his full perspective on the season and the stories behind it in the episode.

No Straight Line: Kelly’s Journey Through Impact and Storytelling

Kelly’s career is what happens when talent meets guts. She went from managing a Division I basketball team to studying journalism, reshaping Columbia Law School’s entire brand, leading ESPN-supported sports communications, and driving content strategy for a major NYC nonprofit. Now she teaches at Columbia, works in sports philanthropy, and continues to build a path that no one else can copy. In this episode, she breaks down the pivots, risks, and bold moves that shaped her journey and why betting on yourself can change everything. If this sparks something in you, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the push.