Stratagize Podcast

Over 1.5 million people live in strata housing in the Province of British Columbia. Yet given its commonality (and because everyone would prefer to watch reruns of the nightly news than read the Strata Property Act), most people are at a loss when it comes to understanding such an important framework for how many of us live our lives in proximity with one another.

Stratagize features conversations with industry leaders and experts who share their knowledge to demystify an industry that impacts the lives of more than 1 out of 3 British Columbians. Whether you are a council member, owner, investor, or renter this show will cover topics that will improve your experience of strata living.

  • Episode 59: Electrical Planning Reports Explained - What Strata Councils Need to Know

    Electrical Planning Reports (EPRs) are now mandatory for most strata corporations in British Columbia, but what do they actually tell you—and what should councils do with the information? In this episode, Brent and James sit down with mechanical engineer Riley Doyle of RDH to unpack what EPRs are, why they were introduced, and what they reveal about a building's future electrical capacity. From EV charging and heat pumps to aging boilers and potential future regulations, Riley helps separate fact from fear and explains how councils can use EPRs as a planning tool.
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  • Episode 58: What’s killing deals in your building (It’s not the unit)

    Most strata councils think insurance is random. It’s not. Premiums go up. Deductibles change. And it often feels completely out of a council’s control. In this episode of Stratagize, Brent Anderson and James Milne sit down with Kim Lundberg from BFL to unpack how strata insurance actually works behind the scenes, and what insurers are really evaluating when they price a building.
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  • Episode 57: Insurance Isn’t Random: What Your Building Is Getting Wrong

    Most strata councils think insurance is random. It’s not. Premiums go up. Deductibles change. And it often feels completely out of a council’s control. In this episode of Stratagize, Brent Anderson and James Milne sit down with Kim Lundberg from BFL to unpack how strata insurance actually works behind the scenes, and what insurers are really evaluating when they price a building.
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  • Episode 56: The most expensive word in strata... Later: Live from our 4th Annual Vendor Trade Show

    Highlights from our 4th Annual Vendor Trade Show: what councils are delaying, and why it keeps costing more. In this episode, we pulled experts from each of our three panels: Protect, Respond, Restore, Preventative Maintenance: Is It Worth It?, and Your Legal Questions Answered to unpack what that looks like in real buildings. The same issues keep showing up, deferred maintenance, unclear accountability, legal exposure, but rarely as emergencies at first. They start small, sit too long, and then come back with a price tag.
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  • Episode 55: Proxy Wars - How One Signature Can Control Your Strata

    In this episode, we sit down with strata lawyer Polina Furtula to unpack one of the most powerful, and most abused tools in strata governance: the proxy. We examine how proxies are supposed to protect owner participation, and how they can just as easily be weaponized to seize control of councils, block critical repairs, or overturn years of progress.
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  • Episode 54: Breaking the 30-Year Playbook: The Future of Property Management Technology

    In this episode, we sit down with CIO Jeff Hahn to unpack why the industry’s decades-old operating model is no longer sustainable—and what the next era of service will look like. Jeff breaks down how HODA, RSS, and the upcoming Cyan platform will fundamentally shift communication, efficiency, and manager workload across North America. If you want a clear, insider view of where property management technology is headed, this conversation lays out the roadmap.
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  • Episode 53: Understanding the AI Revolution

    In this episode, Brent and James sit down with Manuj Aggarwal, AI thought leader and pioneer of the “digital twin” concept, to explore how artificial intelligence will reshape the way we live, manage, and make decisions in strata communities. Manuj breaks down the coming shift in homeowner expectations, why self-service is becoming the norm, and how AI can reduce stress, streamline communication, and improve decision-making for councils. They dive into practical examples, from triaging leaks to predicting building needs, while painting a clear picture of what strata living could look like five years from now. Whether you’re curious about AI or wondering how it will impact strata governance, this conversation is both eye-opening and surprisingly accessible.
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  • Episode 52: Before You Buy: The Real Budget of Strata Homeownership

    Most first-time buyers focus on mortgage rates and monthly payments. But according to Farrah Turcotte, mortgage broker, personal finance coach, and strata council insider, that’s only part of the equation. In this episode, Farrah joins Brent and James to unpack the full cost of owning in a strata: from rising maintenance fees and special levies to budgeting for appliances, insurance deductibles, and those sneaky amenities you might never use but still pay for. They dig into how to prepare your finances before you buy, how to stress test your budget, and why so many buyers are walking into ownership unprepared for the long-term costs. Whether you're buying your first unit or helping someone else through the process, this episode is a must-listen before you sign anything.
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  • Episode 51: Mission: Unsustainable: Reacting to Sanjay’s Exit

    In this reaction episode, Brent and James unpack Sanjay Maharaj’s decision to sell his strata management company and reflect on the broader questions it raises. What happens when rising costs, talent scarcity, and evolving client expectations converge? Is the current service model built to withstand the long-term pressures of the job? Brent and James take a thoughtful look at the emotional and operational demands that led Sanjay to move on, and what leaders in the space can learn from his story. It’s not a crisis, it’s a moment for reflection.
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  • Episode 50: The Financial Time Bomb: Accounts Receivable and Your Budget

    A large accounts receivable (AR) can be more than just an inconvenience for a strata, it can cripple its ability to operate. In this episode Oscar Miklos, founder of Refresh Law returns to reveal the hidden risks of letting unpaid strata fees linger and provides actionable strategies on how to recoup those funds.
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