People of Durham

People of Durham People of Durham highlights the stories, passions, and personalities that shape the Durham Region.

Hosted by Pascal Zois, we share real conversations with local icons, creators, and community voices across Whitby, Oshawa, and beyond.

We have 4 episodes in the editing pipeline, and one being filmed today, stay tuned, they’ll be dropping soon!Carroll Pro...
02/20/2026

We have 4 episodes in the editing pipeline, and one being filmed today, stay tuned, they’ll be dropping soon!

Carroll Property Services
Art By Frank

Fraser In The Forest

01/30/2026

Andrew reflects on what Bitcoin originally stood for and why he feels something changed along the way.⁠
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What began as a response to the 2008 financial crisis and a push for direct, peer to peer transactions slowly became more regulated, layered, and complex. The conversation touches on trust, middlemen, and why so many systems exist between people and their own money.⁠
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It’s not about ignoring the need for protection or accountability. It’s about questioning how much control is necessary and how much distance we’ve created from the original idea of financial independence.⁠
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01/29/2026

Pascal and Andrew talk about how fast technology is moving⁠
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From jetpacks and drones to the idea of flying cars. ⁠
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What starts as curiosity quickly turns into a deeper conversation about safety, unintended consequences, and how innovation affects the world around us.⁠
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01/28/2026

Andrew talks about how the first step isn’t the tech, it’s understanding how someone actually lives. Music in the kitchen. WiFi by the pool. Audio outside. Then choosing the right ecosystem early so everything works together instead of fighting each other later.⁠
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When your lights, audio, locks, and systems can talk to each other, your home stops feeling complicated and starts responding to you. One routine. One moment. Everything in sync.⁠
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01/27/2026

Homes that are healthy for people should be healthy for the planet too.⁠
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Andrew talks about why he believes we are not separate from nature and why the spaces we live in should reflect that. ⁠
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rom sustainable choices to rethinking architecture altogether, the conversation touches on designing homes that feel alive, intentional, and built for the future.⁠
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Less copy and paste subdivisions. More creativity, curves, and spaces that actually inspire how we live.⁠
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01/26/2026

One of the biggest mistakes people make with smart homes is buying everything separately.⁠
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Andrew explains how quickly things get messy when your speakers, cameras, lights, and alarms all live in different apps and only work for one person in the house. It sounds smart at first, but it rarely feels smart once you’re living with it.⁠
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He breaks down why having one connected ecosystem changes everything. Audio, lighting, blinds, security, and routines all working together in a way that actually makes life easier. Walk in the door, press one button, and your home responds to you.⁠
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This is what smart living is supposed to feel like.⁠
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01/26/2026

Andrew talks about why the idea of a fully electric, net zero home matters to him. ⁠
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Not relying on gas, choosing energy freedom, and building a home that’s designed to last. Solar panels, battery storage, better insulation, and starting with something as simple as an energy audit.⁠
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01/24/2026

Sometimes buying a home is about more than just the house.⁠
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Andrew shares why he and his wife chose their home not just for what it was, but for what it could become. ⁠
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Creating space for family, planning for the future, and turning it into a net zero home built for long term savings, comfort, and resilience.⁠
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It’s a reminder that the best decisions are the ones that balance heart and practicality. Building with intention now so life is easier later.⁠
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Real stories. Real people. Real conversations.

We’ve just reached 100 followers on Facebook! Thank you for continuing support. We could never have made it without each...
01/24/2026

We’ve just reached 100 followers on Facebook! Thank you for continuing support. We could never have made it without each one of you. 🙏🤗🎉

01/23/2026

Pascal sits down with Andrew Valyear, founder of Uplynk, to talk about truth, loss, and rebuilding your foundation when life doesn’t go the way you thought it would.⁠
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Andrew opens up about how moments in his 30s shook what he believed to be true, and how that discomfort pushed him to live more honestly, with himself and with the world around him. ⁠
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From divorce to self-reflection, the conversation lands on one grounding idea: everything is connected, and we’re never as separate as we think.⁠
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🎧 Episode dropping soon on YouTube & Spotify⁠
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Follow People of Durham for conversations that go deeper than business titles and success stories

New episode of People of Durham is out I sat down with Andrew Valyrear, founder of Uplynk, to talk about smart homes, fu...
01/23/2026

New episode of People of Durham is out

I sat down with Andrew Valyrear, founder of Uplynk, to talk about smart homes, future ready living, and what it really means to build spaces that work better for people and the planet.

We get into net zero homes, energy independence, integrating smart home systems the right way, and why thoughtful design matters just as much as the technology behind it.

Andrew also shares his perspective on building with intention, long term thinking, and how homes can support family, lifestyle, and resilience.

If you’re curious about smart home tech, sustainable living, or the ideas shaping the future of how we live, this is a great conversation.

Listen now on YouTube and Spotify.

https://youtu.be/b8o5-D7_ZQ8

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0d4DZQPURd5lSD0eegDtun?si=j7GgE2DpSaW9HrpzhEd2SQ

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Whitby, ON
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