Above the Mug is a podcast that highlights people whose passion drives their life. My name is Lucas Spinosa and I own a coffee shop called "The Black Sheep- Lounge & Coffee Roasters" in Welland Ontario. Everyday I meet dozens of interesting people and every week I sit down with one of them to inspir…
Sarah Godfrey is responsible for some of the coolest art on the Gram! She is also the author of 2 books, a marketer, and all around special person. @thelakeofspring https://www.thelakeofspring.com/
WE ARE BACK! After a long year and a half, Above the Mug is back and better than ever. On our first episode back, we have Connor Johnstone- the co-owner and illustrator at Quite Alright, a design studio here in Welland. He and QA are responsible for some amazing design work, including the Black Sheep rebrand! We dive into everything art, music, and paying your dues! quitealright.ca @quitealright
Emily Denney opened my eyes to a different way of educating. After travelling to Asia, & falling in love, she came back and changed her life! AbovetheMug.com
Corey Hamilton is a carpenter, motorcycle enthusiast, and owner/ operator of Weekend Culture. On Episode #40, we talk about mental health, trades, and vintage bikes! AbovetheMug.com @weekendcultureco @c_e_ham
Alexander Mills does so many things; but you probably know him as a leading Coffee Blogger on Instagram. On Ep. #39, we dive into how this pastor/ media expert/ foster parent/ coffee blogger does it all, and so well! AbovetheMug.com @Alexander.Mills
Natalie Caruso is a Hair Stylist, & owner of Little Shop of Beauty. She has created a safe space for her clients and sheds light on what it's like to start a business so young in life! AbovetheMug.com @littleshopofbeauty.niagara @natcaruso
Heather Kent has an amazing story to share! We talk about how Cancer, Covid, & a Child didn't stop her from pursuing her ambitions of being the owner of Feeder Flower Farm! AbovetheMug.com @feederflowerfarm
OUR FIRST EPISODE since covid! #36 features none other than Ryan Skursky, cinematographer extraordinaire! skurskyproductions.ca @skurskyproductions
After a long 6 months, we are BACK! Covid-19 is a pain in the ass, but you already know that.. On September 6th, we are back to our weekly Sunday routine! AbovetheMug.com
Last week I challenged myself to start learning Spanish and read 2 books a month. This week I give you an update, and also, tell you about my new addiction to Animal Crossing... Past Episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/above-the-mug-podcast/id1468315887 If you have questions for past guests, or myself, email me & i'll be happy to answer next Sunday: lucas@blacksheeplounge.ca
STAY THE F HOME! In this short Episode/ Update, Lucas lets you know what the future of Above The Mug holds. Things are going to change but when it rains you can either moan about getting soaked, or grab an umbrella. We are all about creating solutions, using positivity, and getting ahead of the curve (or in this instance; flatten it). We have a challenge to ourselves and YOU in this episode of ATM! #staytheFhome #ATMpod Amazing Past Episodes: AboveTheMug.com Links to credible sources on COVID-19: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Jon Braithwaite is a coach, activist, and the CEO of the Hope Centre in Welland ON. We talk about how he went from Big Brothers Big Sisters to the Hope Centre, and also, touch on how COVID-19 is affecting the social service world and how to mitigate it's impact! http://thehopecentre.net
Joey Scaringi (AKA Joey Bricks) is a radio personality with the one and only 97.7 HTZfm, a vocalist with Various & Duskwalker, and just launched a brand new show called "Metal After Midnight". Joey and I talk about everything from getting strip searched at the boarder to relentlessness! https://www.iheartradio.ca/977htzfm
HERE IT IS! My biological broski Zac Spinosa is the founder and owner of Forge Fitness, a personal training facility in Welland On. He is a trainer and coach for the most elite of athletes, and also to those who have the desire to make significant life changes. His goal is not only physical, but also mental and emotional fitness. In this episode you get 2 PODCASTS IN 1! This nearly 1 hour special is presented in 2 parts. forgefitness.ca @forgefitnesswelland
Chris Illich is a real community hero. He is the founder and owner of "The Sound", a monthly arts & culture newspaper, that features live music calendars, local food reviews, and much more! https://thesound.rocks/
Conrad Davies is a hell-of-a-fellow! He is the GM of Breakwall Brewing Company, a Real Estate agent with Royal LePAGE, and a former power lifting coach for Team Canada! https://www.breakwallbrewery.com
Natalie Proulx is a seriously interesting person. Her and I share a passion for good coffee and conversations about death. She is a Thanatologist, Bereavement Educator, and founder of Facing the Sun. facingthesun.life
Matt Guarasci is not only a musician but a magician, agent, social media guru, and an event planner. Matt is known for doing a bit of everything and is making a good living doing it! Check out his company: www.invittco.com
Mark Lalama is a beast behind the keys, a singer-songwriter, producer, and was also a pianist on Canadian Idol. Today he and I sit down to talk about making it in the business, and how there is no perfection without practice. http://marklalama.com
Mark Picone is a world class chef, business owner, chef-professor, and the list goes on! He has travelled the world learning and building on his craft. On top of all this he has also received some of the greatest culinary awards in Canada, and, has also appeared on the Food Network. ChefMarkPicone.com
Our guest this week is none other than Lynn Nicholls! Lynn is a world-class intuition expert, (formally psychic medium). She has been working solely in this field for 15 years and has recently started hitting the stage with huge success! https://www.lynnnicholls.com
WE ARE SO EXCITED to have the one and only Sam Baio, founder of Socks for Change & Boathouse, as well as, the founder and former CEO of West 49. Sam has dedicated his life to helping and empowering kids, and the less fortunate. The kicker, he lives in Niagara! socksforchange.ca
Leah and Renée are an impressive pair of sisters. They went from a job they like to a life they LOVE! Find out how in Episode #22 of Above the Mug. https://www.martindalekennels.ca
Mark Carl is an incredible person. You may remember an earlier episode of Above the Mug with his wife Tanya Carl. Mark is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara, a former 2 term Welland city councillor, and former Executive Director of the Hope Centre.
This weeks guest is none other than Rob Repovs. He is a man of many talents and many hearts. He spends his day as an independent consultant for Primerica, and his nights as a volunteer and songwriter. More here: https://www.facebook.com/robrepovsmusic/
Ross Macfarlan is not only an outstanding gentleman but also a commercial litigation lawyer, and the President of Les Marmiton International! Join us for this awesome conversation about food, law, and Montreal?
Jessica Wilson is KILLING IT in the music and performance world. She has shared the stage with some of the most popular and talented artists in the world and is quickly rising to the top of her game! In this weeks episode (sorry for being a few hours late) we talk about dedication, commuting, and steaming? JessicaWilson.ca
David Green is a comedian, radio host, and now television personaility. Today we sit down to talk about everything from hecklers to killing flies. https://www.davidgreencomedy.com
Holly Treddenick is one incredibly rounded individual! She's an artist, dancer, producer, choreographer, and an activist! Today we sit down to talk about everything from the circus to breast-feeding! femmedufeu.com
Ladies and Gentlemen, Kelly Jones! Kelly is known for being the man of many hats. He is a DJ, Volunteer, Employment Specialist, Musician, Chair of the Welland Downtown BIA and a heck of a lot more! We talk about everything from Terry Fox to hairstyles, so make sure to listen to the whole thing :)
Stefanie is a globetrotter with a heart of gold. She is a consultant, specializes in HIV, and is a PHD candidate. We talk about everything from disease to TED talks.
Episode 13 of Above the Mug is with none other than my friend, artist, Niagara College Art teacher James Gielfeldt. He and I sit down to talk about everything from Vikings to life drawing. More here: https://gielfeldt.wixsite.com/studio207
Michael is an incredible individual. Mike has PDD NOS a form of autism which has made him unable to read or write, despite this, he spent 5 years using speech to text technology to write his first book "Can't Read, Can't Write, Here's My Book". Today I sit down with Michael and his father Marcel to talk about school, Ellen Degeneres, and touring the country. More here: heresmybook.com
Ryen is an interesting cat! He is a musician, activist, DJ, and all around solid dude. This week he and I sit down to talk about weddings, booze, and showering. More here: DJRyen.com recoverydayniagara.com
Tanya Carl is an activist, newcomer advocate, mother of 2, and teacher at Welland Centennial High School. We sit down to talk about human trafficking, faith, and leadership.
Carrie is a top-notch tattoo artist, Simpsons enthusiast, and is the owner of Hand & Dagger. Today she sits down with me to chat about Art in 2019, Demons, and the power of a positive mind! Find more at: @hand_and_dagger_studio
David Nordquist is an actor, creator, author, and most notibly, the owner of MiniWar Gaming (MWG) which creates content for over 300,000 subscribers on YouTube & other platforms. Today, I sit down with David to find out how he went from cutting grass, to opening a 10,000+ sq/ft studio. https://www.miniwargaming.com
Ricky is the owner of Presstime Design & Screenprint, musician, and seriously great guy! Today, I sit down with Ricky to find out how he went from making buttons to running a 10,000 sq/ft operation. Everything Presstime here: www.presstimedesign.com
Michelle is an empowerment coach, consultant, mother, and owner of Empowered. We talk business, the important of mindset, and prioritizing. To find out more about Michelle's business: www.livempowered.ca
Annika is a seasoned musician and entrepreneur that is 1/2 the face of the band Leaving Thomas. Spencer is also a seasoned musician, drummer for Leaving Thomas, and Juno award winning producer! Lucas sits down with them to find out how they got into music and how they achieve their goals. Leaving Thomas: https://leavingthomas.com Spencer Cheyne: http://www.spencercheyne.com/discography
Maddi is a professional athlete, trainer, and founder of OnBoard! Maddi uses what she loves to raise money for brain cancer research, and now teaches to kids at camps! More about Maddi & OnBoard: https://www.maddileblanc.com/on-board
Martha J. Lockwood is the Rev. at Central United Church in Welland, a former Fort Erie city councillor, and a human rights activist. Today she sits down with Lucas to talk about God, Politics, Humanity, and Sexuality. Find out more about her and her congregation here: www.centralunitedchurch.org
Mike Farkas is a world class photographer, and the owner of the hungriest photography company in Niagara, G3 Designs. Check out their work right here: www.g3designsphotography.com @g3designs905
Joe Gonzalez is a successful realtor, content creator, and all around great dude. Joe is also the host of "Must See Monday's" and more recently is hosting a web series to find the best "Gold Medal" burger in the entire world. www.joegonzalez.ca
Above the Mug is a podcast that highlights people who's passions drive their life. I'm Lucas Spinosa, and I own a coffee shop. Everyday, I meet dozens of interesting people and today I sit down with one of them to inspire you to live your life passion-forward. Tune in every week for a new podcast featuring a new inspiring guest each time.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
