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Artwork for Food Court In Session

Food Court In Session

Justin McElroy & Steven Masuch
Vancouver
Richmond
Surrey
Aberdeen Center
Admiralty Centre
The Amazing Brentwood
Burnaby
City Of Lougheed
City Square Shopping Centre
Coquitlam Centre
Crystal Mall
Denman Place Mall
Empire Centre
Guildford Town Centre
Haney Place Mall
Henderson Place Mall
Central City
Capilano Mall
Brentwood
Bentall Centre

Food Court In Session is a podcast, ranking, series of essays, and exploration of every mall in Metro Vancouver. Every two weeks, Justin McElroy, Steve Masuch and rotating guests explore a different mall in our region, as we debate and determine what a mall means in 2026, and which one in Metro Vancouver is truly the best. Come along with us on this very silly but worthwhile journey, as we go to n... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes15Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Food Court In Session

Latest Episodes

Henderson Place has a good food court, a good design, a good location, and yet, a third to a quarter of all its storefronts are empty. Why? Guest:  health policy analyst Zahid Dosa.

Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

There's no mystery on whether Haney Place Mall is any good. So we explore a more interesting question: what made it turn bad? Episode guest: Maple Ridge resident and IT manager Matt Aquin.

Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

It doesn’t have the buzz or transit connections of a Metrotown or Oakridge or Aberdeen, but could Surrey’s finest be the best mall in Metro Vancouver? Guest: labour lawyer Vyas Saran.

Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace.com

Smushed between much bigger Richmond options, does a great food court, one weird hallway, and one bad parking lot make a good mall? Episode Guest: Vancouver writer and journalist Christopher Cheung.

Theme music composed by Tom Whalen, www.echomenace... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Zahid Dosa
Health policy analyst
Episode: Henderson Place Mall
Matt Aquin
IT manager from Maple Ridge
Independent
Episode: Haney Place Mall
Roxy Pheiffer
Surrey Boy, lawyer and co-host of the Canucks podcast
Surrey Boy / Canucks podcast
Episode: Guildford Town Centre
Vyas Saran
Guest with historical and urban perspective
Episode: Guildford Town Centre
Christopher Cheung
Author of Very Vancouver, Uncovering the Soul of a West Coast City
Episode: Empire Centre
Stephanie Ryan
Union organizer, West End resident, and member of Justin and Steve's friend group
Community/Union
Episode: Denman Place
Chris Cheung
Journalist and author; wrote definitive piece on Crystal Mall
Unspecified
Episode: Crystal Mall
John Roddick
City of Vancouver Project Manager and architect
City of Vancouver
Episode: Coquitlam Centre
Dan Fumano
Vancouver Sun reporter
Vancouver Sun
Episode: City Square

Hosts

Justin McElroy
Host of Food Court In Session with a focus on local history and narrative framing.
Steve Masuch
Co-host with a knack for lyrical, optimistic commentary and shared storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 51 ratings
  • A review from the “Amazing” Brentwood food court

    A 5 star Podcast! Justin and Steve deliver a nostalgic review of the lower mainland’s best hangout and shopping spots. After listening to a few episodes I now find myself wanting to explore and rate these malls myself. With a Glorious Bao - Curry Chicken partially eaten in front of me, I have concluded that Food Court In Session is my favourite new podcast for 2026! Keep up the great work Justin and Steve!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrew L, Vancouver
    Canada4 months ago
  • The Full Meal Deal

    I am utterly charmed by this pod! I love learning local lore and I love a deep dive into the built and designed world. Fans of 99% Invisible will enjoy how FC makes a meal of Metro Vancouver’s malls. Justin and Steve complement each other perfectly: Justin unfurls local history in meticulous detail and Steve presents an optimistic outlook through poetic wanderings in the corridors (and caverns!) of our commercial behemoths. I find myself both simmering in the nostalgia of the malls of my youth a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    __________SC
    Canada4 months ago
  • Capilano was the best!

    Have to say that was the most entertaining! That Mia was amazing! Super fun! It would be great to hear more from her.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Def not Melissa
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners cite strong local flavor and nostalgia for Vancouver's malls.
Guests' expertise adds credibility and depth to discussions about design and community impact.
Fans enjoy the mix of historical context and lighthearted banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Henderson Place Mall
Q: Why does the food court matter so much in this evaluation?
They argue that the food court represents the mall's soul and vitality, offering authentic regional options and a sense of place that outweighs the presence or absence of big-name anchors.
Henderson Place Mall
Q: What did you notice about the atrium and the potential for programming there?
The guests observe that the atrium is a beautifully designed space with limited regular programming, suggesting it could function as a community hub if activated more consistently.
Henderson Place Mall
Q: Zahid, how would you describe the overall experience of Henderson Place Mall in terms of everyday practicality?
Zahid emphasizes that despite vacancies, the small, family-owned stores and the diverse food options serve genuine daily needs and create a neighborhood-serving vibe, even if the mall lacks a marquee anchor.
Denman Place
Q: Steph, what would you use for a bed?
Steph replies that the mall's limited size and assortment would make it impractical to live there, but she affectionately notes the thrift store and nearby services like the seniors network as the real anchors for daily life.
Coquitlam Centre
Q: John, what is your connection to Coquitlam Centre Mall?
As an architect, I was drawn to its design pedigree, including its early Governor General's Medal recognition, and I see a thread between its historic form and the way it tries to balance spectacle with everyday practicality, even as renovations have shifted some of that original character.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Court In Session

What is Food Court In Session about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A playful, discussion-driven exploration of Metro Vancouver's malls, focusing on how design, history, and everyday life shape the experience of shopping centers today. Episodes blend nostalgia with architecture, urban planning, and local culture as hosts debate what makes a mall feel distinct—whether it's a bold atrium, a quirky food court, or a community heartbeat. Guests range from journalists and city planners to local historians and cultural commentators, offering diverse perspectives on place, memory, and the evolving role of malls in a dense regional fabric. The show stands out for its mix of rigorous, often humorous critique and a willingness to treat malls as social artifacts worth studying and revisiting. Potential listeners who en... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Food Court In Session?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Food Court In Session:

1. This is Vancouver
2. The Numbers
3. Decoder Ring
4. 99% Invisible
5. Stop Podcasting Yourself

How many episodes of Food Court In Session are there?

Food Court In Session launched 7 months ago and published 15 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Food Court In Session?

Recent guests on Food Court In Session include:

1. Zahid Dosa
2. Matt Aquin
3. Roxy Pheiffer
4. Vyas Saran
5. Christopher Cheung
6. Stephanie Ryan
7. Chris Cheung
8. John Roddick

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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