AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji – Details, episodes & analysis

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AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji

Alykhan Velji Designs

Arts

Frequency: 1 episode/14d. Total Eps: 26

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, humor, and zero ego. Think weirder. Design better. Trust your gut again. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s your creative spark.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - design
05/08/2026
#86
🇨🇦 Canada - design
04/08/2026
#73
🇨🇦 Canada - design
03/08/2026
#63
🇨🇦 Canada - design
02/08/2026
#45

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

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https://www.alyveljidesigns.com
19 shares
https://www.alyveljidesigns.com/
16 shares
https://withbureau.com/ca/
14 shares

https://www.instagram.com/designs_av
34 shares
https://www.instagram.com/bureau.global
14 shares
https://www.instagram.com/moeshome
14 shares

https://www.youtube.com/@AlykhanVeljiDesigns/podcasts
19 shares
https://www.youtube.com/@AlykhanVeljiDesigns
14 shares
https://www.youtube.com/@ArianneBellizaire
2 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 52%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Welcome to AVD INSPIRE | A Creative Podcast by ALY VELJI for Design, Bold Moves & Staying Grounded

Season 1

Thursday, June 19, 2025 • Duration 02:22

This is where creativity gets lit.
Interior designer and creative director Aly Velji invites you into the vibrant, real, and sometimes messy world of artistry, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

In this AVD Inspire teaser, Aly shares what sparked this passion project, what’s in store for Season One, and why launching this podcast on his birthday (June 24th) means more than ever.

Whether you're in a creative funk, plotting your next big pivot, or just craving real talk with purpose-driven people — this podcast is your new go-to.

Expect intimate convos with Aly’s closest friends and creative muses — artists, makers, and icons who are making bold moves, navigating real-life ups and downs, and sharing the rituals that keep them grounded.

Hit SUBSCRIBE and get ready to be inspired.

Official launch drops June 24th.

Want to know about Interior Designer Aly Velji? Click here to discover his award-winning Calgary design firm.

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Style, Soul & Reinvention - with Stylist & Fashion Icon PETER PAPAPETROU

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 • Duration 35:59

What is style, really? In this vibrant, heartfelt and hilarious conversation, Aly Velji sits down with legendary stylist and creative force Peter Papapetrou to talk about how fashion, identity, and creativity evolve across decades, cities, and life chapters.

From the basement fashion shows of his youth to styling for The Marilyn Denis Show and working with couture houses like Giambattista Valli, Peter opens up about the hustle and the joy behind his colorful career.

Now splitting his time between Toronto and Miami, Peter shares how marriage, moving abroad, vintage fashion in Amsterdam, and reconnecting with silence reshaped his creative vision—and why he’s finally turning the lens on himself.

In This Episode:

Peter’s incredible journey including his humble beginnings as a kid to becoming a Canadian style icon
Fashion vs. Style: The soul of how we show up
His favourite memories from being on The Marilyn Denis Show
Vintage shopping in Amsterdam & rediscovering personal style
What TV taught him about storytelling, humility, and impact

Grounding rituals, creative freedom, and what’s next

Connect with Peter Papapetrou:

SPONSORED BY: TONIC LIVINGCreate a home that’s as stylish and soulful as Peter’s wardrobe.

Tonic Living offers high-quality, handcrafted home textiles—for upholstery, window treatments and accessories plus a robust collection of decorative throw pillows—designed and handcrafted in Toronto headquarters (made in Canada).

From Science to Soulful Spaces with STANLEY SUN of Mason Studio

Season 1 · Episode 5

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 • Duration 25:13

This week on AVD Inspire, I’m sitting down with one of my oldest (and most fabulous) friends — Stanley Sun, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Mason Studio.

Before he was designing hotels, restaurants, exhibitions, and retail spaces around the world, Stanley was deep in the world of neuroscience. That’s right…he almost became a doctor! But thankfully for all of us, he followed his heart (and his talent) straight into the world of design.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to bring your whole self into your creative work — your background, your culture, your quirks, all of it. Stanley opens up about discovering your true identity, working with intention, and how community-building is at the center of everything Mason Studio does.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Stanley went from lab research to luxury interiors
The connection between science, creativity, and emotion

The wild story behind talking to industry pros at a spa…in bathing suits
Embracing culture and queerness as creative superpowers
Why Mason Studio is more than a design firm — it’s a movement
The power of space to ground, heal, and connect us.

Connect with Stanley & Mason Studio:

Website: masonstudio.com
Instagram: @masonstudio

Presented in Partnership With:

BRIZO® – Fashion Forward. Lifestyle Focused.BRIZO® is a luxury fittings brand for people who understand that fashion isn’t just about the clothes they wear—but their entire lifestyle. The high-end brand has a strong emphasis on refined style, design and trend, with a large variety of finishes and customization options. Full artistic collections that tell a story.

Design, Drag & Doing the Bold Thing — with JONATHAN SOTTO of Yabu Pushelberg

Season 1 · Episode 4

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 • Duration 28:45

This week on AVD Inspire, 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.

Also on the table? RuPaul’s Drag Race, Beyoncé and how childhood experiences totally shape who you are today

Whether you’re in design or just designing your life, this one’s for you.

What We Cover:

The Beyoncé tee moment and a designer friendship born in Vegas
Growing up Filipino and dreaming of overcoming stereotypes
Discovering design through Lego, grid paper, and career pivots
Cold-calling firms in 2005 — and the hustle before LinkedIn
Facing rejection and finally landing a job at Yabu Pushelberg
Leaving a dream job to move abroad and grow personally
What it means to “promote” design instead of “doing” design
Navigating imposter syndrome and finding your voice

The art of feedback (and not taking things personally)
Travel, connection, and why giving back to yourself really matters

About Jonathan Sotto:

By day, he’s pushing boundaries as the Director of Business Development at Yabu Pushelberg. By night? He's a Karaoke king and full-time Drag Race aficionado. With over 20 years of creative experience in interior design and building relationships with people, Jonathan brings equal parts heart and hustle to everything he does.

The Art of Starting Fresh: Artist MURRAY DUNCAN on Letting Go to Create Freely

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 21:51

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.

From his upcoming paperwork collection to collaborations with leading designers and galleries, Murray shares the mindset shift that made it all possible, and the unexpected joy of building a life that finally feels like home.

In This Episode:

Murray’s journey from retail entrepreneur to full-time working artist
How vulnerability became his most powerful creative tool
Working with designers and architects to tell visual stories through art
His upcoming paperwork collection and what it represents
The shift that happened when he started creating from alignment
Why leaving something good is sometimes the only way to find something great

Connect with Murray Duncan:

Website: murrayduncanstudio.com
Instagram: @murray_duncan_studio

SPONSORED BY: Divine FlooringDivine Flooring is a design-forward flooring brand known for curating premium surfaces that elevate spaces with style and soul. From luxury hardwood to innovative vinyl, they partner with designers, builders, and homeowners to craft interiors that leave a lasting impression.

Lights, Grit, and Taking the Leap — with KATE MACNEILL of Concord Custom Lighting

Season 1 · Episode 6

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 • Duration 20:24

This week on AVD Inspire, 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.

In this episode, we dive into:

How Kate built a women-led lighting design studio from scratch
The behind-the-scenes process of custom lighting manufacturing
How to turn a design vision into a functional, code-compliant product
What it really takes to thrive as a female founder in the design industry
How to overcome imposter syndrome and trust your creative instincts

Kate opens up about leaving behind a commerce degree and stepping into the world of industrial design, fabrication, and creative business ownership. Her lighting work has been featured in Architectural Digest, House & Home, The Globe and Mail, Dezeen, and The Local Project (Australia) — and we get into the raw, real moments that shaped her journey.

Plus, we chat about our recent commercial design collab, why Canadian-made design matters, and the beauty of building a brand that empowers creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship.

“Sometimes you just need to take the leap… because the pain of living out of alignment becomes too heavy to carry.”

Connect with Kate MacNeill & Concord Custom Lighting

Website: thisisconcord.com
Instagram: @concordlights

Weaving Identity, Art, and Power — with SIMONE ELIZABETH SAUNDERS

Monday, August 4, 2025 • Duration 25:21

This week on AVD Inspire, I’m joined by the brilliant and bold Simone Elizabeth Saunders, 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.

In this heart-to-heart full of vibes and real talk, we talk about:– The transition from performing arts to contemporary textile art– Centering Black identity, feminine strength, and history in visual work– Tufting, punch needle, and the tactile power of fiber-based storytelling– How Simone curated Noir Nouveau for Contemporary Calgary’s LOOK Gala– Trusting your voice (even when the world doesn’t get it yet)– Creative rituals, spiritual practice, and the role of ancestral wisdom in her art– The reality of being a Black female artist navigating today’s art world

Whether you're an artist, a dreamer, or someone seeking creative courage, this episode will remind you that your story is your superpower — and that art is a revolutionary act.

Connect with Simone Elizabeth Saunders

Want more of Simone’s vibrant, powerful world? Follow her here:

Sponsored by Bow Valley College

Bow Valley College is Calgary's College. In 2025, we are celebrating 60 years of launching professional journeys and providing students with opportunities to advance and evolve their careers. As Calgary's largest downtown post-secondary campus, we are a catalyst for change through our students and graduates.

Woodwork, Legacy & Leaps of Faith — with TJ EDMONDSON

Season 1 · Episode 8

Monday, August 11, 2025 • Duration 24:44

This week on AVD Inspire, I’m joined by the inspiring and grounded 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.

His work has been featured in Country Living Magazine, House & Home, Style at Home, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Muskoka Life, Parks Canada, and Kabin Magazine — but beyond the press, it’s his commitment to preserving fine woodworking in Canada, mentoring the next generation of makers, and collaborating with other artisans that makes this conversation so special.

In this heart-to-heart filled with craft, community, and real talk, we get into:
– The leap from a secure corporate career to owning a heritage woodworking business
– How TJ found Windsor Workshop (yes, it involves a “business for sale” listing)
– Keeping 300-year-old joinery techniques alive in a modern market
– The realities of manufacturing high-quality furniture in Canada
– Building community among makers and why collaboration beats competition
– Launching Local Made Market and celebrating Canadian craftsmanship
– Balancing tradition with innovation to reach new audiences
– TJ’s personal grounding rituals (spoiler: sawdust and yoga)

Whether you’re a maker, a dreamer, or someone craving the courage to rewrite your story, this episode will remind you that your “one day” can start the moment you decide to build it.

Want more of TJ’s world of craftsmanship, collaboration, and Canadian-made design? Follow him here:

Craft, Culture & Creative Roots — with LAURA NORIEGA of TRIBUTO

Season 1 · Episode 9

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 24:02

This week on AVD Inspire, I’m joined by the brilliant 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.

Together with her sister, Laura built TRIBUTO into a brand that’s as much about people and poetry as it is about products. But what really lights Laura up is community, collaboration, and proving that craft is not a thing of the past — it’s the future.

In this episode, we talk about:

– Laura’s journey from studying abroad to returning home to Guadalajara

– How her friend’s simple drawing shifted the entire course of her life

– Founding TRIBUTO with her sister and why family makes the best creative partners

– Why Mexico’s artisans and workshops are having a global design moment

– The challenges (and beauty) of weaving tradition into contemporary design

– Measuring real impact and what it means to uplift communities through craft

– Guadalajara’s rise as a design destination (and why you need to visit!)

– Laura’s rituals that keep her grounded...literally!

About Laura Noriega

Laura Noriega is a Mexican designer, thinker, and collaborator with a background in Product Design and Interior Architecture. She is the Founder and Creative Director of TRIBUTO, the brand she launched with her sister to design and produce handmade objects rooted in cultural heritage and traditional local production.

AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other71

Instagram51

Youtube9

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other71

Instagram51

Youtube9