I Like Hue

Matt Cundill  0:01  
You may also like a show about the things you may also like things like I like Hugh Tracy Koch has been a content creator since, well, forever, and I'm counting her time as a dancer with the Royal Winnipeg ballet, predominantly, though she's worked in television, then it was video, YouTube and podcast. She loves keeping it local. Tracy is a true Manitoban born and raised in Winnipeg. Her company is called Hu it's a full video content driven site that specializes in lifestyle, entertainment and events. It's the place to find out what's hot, who's making waves, and where to find it, if it's local, she knows about it, and she knows the story behind it, and now we find out her story, you know, Tracy, without really paying attention to life and how time goes by, and we're looking at, you know, in the face of 2025 here you are. You've got 426 or more episodes that you have done of your show. How incredible is that?

Tracy Koga  1:10  
Well, I have been nicknamed the queen of content. So I guess I do come by it naturally. I think I just have this interest for stories and able to dig things up and make you know like a silk purse out of a cell's ear. That's a long old time saying, but I think something that's been true to me

Matt Cundill  1:34  
over that time period. How has your show changed? How has it evolved?

Tracy Koga  1:39  
Well, that's an interesting question, because, actually, I was just talking about the shows and what we've done and accomplished. And, you know, definitely saw a breakthrough during COVID, when everybody was talking on this platform and zoom and whatnot, and made us all feel connected. I'm thinking more about where I want to go, and I think it's that next level of connectivity. What does that look like? I don't know, but I know now that there is something different out there that people are craving. And I think that it might be a combination of that, once again, being in person, but I think more important that is to be able to talk about things that we just don't talk about. And that has been the hardest thing, I think, through this whole five years that I've been doing this, which that's the hardest thing, I think, for me to figure out what that really is. So talk

Matt Cundill  2:30  
to me about the pivot, because you started 2018, 2019, and I remember I could go and see the show, and the show was going to be out and about town, and it was going to be here, it was there. It was literally everywhere. And then, you know, you were forced to spend two and a half years at home producing this stuff, and that's kind of where it's been for the last little while. And yeah, like you said, you're on the cusp of something else. So tell me about the about going home to do the show.

Tracy Koga  2:58  
Oh, that was scary, but I think what made it easier, if that's for a lack of a better word, easier, is because we were all in it. And then remember that phrase, we're all in it together. So as time went on, we realized, no, we're not really all in it together, but we did navigate through it, and it became easy. And I'm sure you know yourself doing your show. Wow, I can just go downstairs or I, you know, it's not like I have to be up at this time, drive to this location, set up, blah, blah, blah, and then go back. It's boom, like, within five minutes, you're there. I'm sad. So it was easy.

Matt Cundill  3:37  
So you do mention that you feel like you're on the cusp of something. I know what you're on the cusp of. Oh, you do. Let me know. I do. I it's being local. So your show is a lot of Winnipeg stories. So tell me about your show and keeping it local and broadcasting to an entire Internet. You could have just made this show for the planet, but this is really a show about Winnipeg Well,

Tracy Koga  4:05  
and that's funny, because I thought, oh, because we're going to be across the board, anybody can listen or see us. I needed to be more international, not be so local focused. But if you're looking for stories, I can't fly to all over the world to find different people, or to talk to them or know about them. So where else you go to the same Well, you go to the city that you live in. And it's actually, I wouldn't say, forced me, but definitely I broadened my circle of people. I mean, we all keep our own inner circle of close friends. But this has even made my scope of what's out there, who's out there, more importantly, and who really has a good story to tell, whereas before, I kind of just relied on my same contacts. So that's sort of, I guess, Matt in the way to create. Tent. You gotta go and look, or you gotta meet, go out and meet people. That's what I've done, yes, and I guess yes, it has been local. But we try to put a broader kind of theme on our conversation, so everybody, or somebody in another country can relate to Yeah, and you don't have to be,

Matt Cundill  5:18  
you know, from Winnipeg, to be a part of the show. Sometimes you could be passing through Winnipeg. Sometimes it might be an issue that has to do with people in Winnipeg, I think a great example of that in one of my favorite episodes. And thank you very much for connecting me with Connie Wang, who you know, has been through a similar journey with us. And like, how am I going to be able to share my content with people?

Tracy Koga  5:38  
Yeah, no, and she's fantastic. And I think, you know, obviously the Asian connection, but I mean, really, what took me is being, you know, what is it nearly famous, or something like that, and you're Canadian, nobody cares. And then you go some you go across the pond or across the border, you become famous. And then all of a sudden, Canada loves you, or, you know, your hometown loves you so, but she's great, she's wonderful, and she's doing such incredible things now.

Matt Cundill  6:07  
Now I watched you on my local cable channel in, I think about the 2000 10s, and the type of show was, you know, local and in the community, but it also is very issue driven, and you haven't given any of that up, no.

Tracy Koga  6:22  
And I think now I want to get more into that. And getting back to what I was speaking about earlier, is talking about the uncomfortable things, or talking about things that nobody normally talks about, even when you're with your best friends or whatever like that. And they need to, because part and parcel of all that is all the stress people are under. Mental health, as we all know, has skyrocketed into different issues, and, you know, addictions, and when it boils down to it, it's just they didn't know who to talk to, or, you know, how to express their feelings. So that is kind of like the next step, and issues are the definite, I guess, you know, catalyst right to start the conversation, yeah, everything from

Matt Cundill  7:05  
mental health to, you know, why is this not working for some people to, you know, disabilities, human rights themes. Is there anything you say no to?

Tracy Koga  7:16  
I haven't yet. But to be honest, I do a lot still, because my heart belongs in the arts and entertainment, performing arts and and whatnot. And there are some, you know, fringe ones that Yeah, and you know, mostly because I don't really know a lot about it. Not that that scares me, but I just know. And you know too, when you kind of look at the broader picture of who you have on your show. What do you represent? You know, there are just going to be the odd fringe things that just don't really try with what you're doing. So no, I have not said no to anything, but I have been very kind of selective on, you know, when it comes down to, I'd love to have you on the show.

Matt Cundill  7:59  
Rick Campanelli is, you know, I think everybody in Winnipeg would know who he is, because he was, you know, Rick the temp, and he was on TV, he was on Entertainment Tonight, and much music, and we all grew up with him. So, yeah, that that works. And then I think a few weeks later, I found myself listening to, you know, the story behind history books, and I'm a history buff, and you know, what's that about? So I'm like, Wow. I was wondering, is there anything she really doesn't say no to

Tracy Koga  8:26  
well, you know what? You're right? And that was, like, one of my downfalls, especially when I was, you know, on cable TV, it's like, never could say no. I

Matt Cundill  8:34  
think if you're on cable TV, you're not supposed to say no, right? It's community access,

Tracy Koga  8:39  
exactly. Yeah. So I have a question for you. The market, on my perspective, pretty saturated with podcasts, videocast, whatever, what is the next step, or where do you think we are all going to go? Because it's pretty much anybody can have a show.

Matt Cundill  8:59  
So the answer to that is, home.

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Matt Cundill  9:21  
So I look at what we're doing as it's like books. Nobody sits at home and says, Well, you know, the book market's saturated. I'm not going to write a book. You just go write a book. And for podcasts, well, if you look at the number of people who are actually releasing episodes actively, and you have a very active show, that number is really only 350,000 podcasts that release an episode in the last 30 days. That's not a lot compared to YouTube. That is like accepting millions of videos every day, so it's not saturated. I think what people think is discoverability. So how do people find you? That's the hard part, and it used to be that I would find you. In a store or, you know, in a studio making content, and now it's online. And of course, now you're sort of up against everything else that's online. It's not just other podcasts. It's like all the other now you're up against tiktoks, Instagram reels, and that's why I sort of encourage people to do that stuff and tell people who your guests are. Yeah,

Tracy Koga  10:17  
and that's true. That's true. You know what? I want to thank you. I'm being, yes, it's five years, and God knows, I never thought that I would ever be doing this. And where it has all been, where it's all going to go, but it's been a great ride. And certainly meeting people a long way. That's the gym. So

Matt Cundill  10:37  
when people meet you and you tell them that you have a show, what are they interested in? Do you tell them it's a podcast, or do you tell them it's a YouTube show, or it's video and it's

Tracy Koga  10:46  
interesting, because people say, Oh, you got a podcast? And I'm like, well, oh yeah, I do, but we're video, so people really pick up on that podcast thing. And you know, too more and more podcasts are turning to video anyways, so it's the same thing, yeah?

Matt Cundill  11:04  
Well, many of your listeners are calling it a podcast. And so even if you weren't on Apple Spotify and other places, they would say, Oh, you've, you've got a podcast. And even though it's on YouTube, because people, I think, look at YouTube and people talking to microphones like we are now leads them to believe that, oh, this is a podcast.

Tracy Koga  11:20  
Yeah, it's amazing. It's been very interesting too, on how people get their content. And I think that also kind of has set alarm bells in me too, because people obviously look to the internet and all the different social media platforms for their information. As we all know that the six o'clock newscast very few watch. So I think, and I don't know, maybe you can correct me, do you feel a little bit more keeping an eye on on sort of the content that you do produce, and I'm just lucky to

Matt Cundill  11:55  
get it out there, you know, if I can put it out, I think that's that's a victory unto itself. But I am worried. I'm worried about no six o'clock news, or at least access to some form of news. Boy, you know, you've got news channels that are 24/7 but there's nothing really local, and there's nobody sort of amalgamating us, like the stuff that you do, does it air? Oh, we're going to put it on in the morning and we're going to meet some sort of requirement for the government, and so, I mean, I do feel for some of these broadcasters who, you know, want to connect to the community, but it costs money and it costs time and it costs people, and they might not be able to see see the price of it, but I can tell you that after 426, episodes that you know, you've got a library full of stories, Winnipeg stories eventually. So there is something to it. It's just hard to find people

Tracy Koga  12:46  
to invest in it. Yeah, we will keep on going until you know the ship doesn't want to sail anymore, so to speak. But,

Matt Cundill  12:54  
or until all the all the stories are completed,

Tracy Koga  12:58  
I'm done here. There's no more stories to be told here in Winnipeg,

Matt Cundill  13:02  
but the city as a whole keeps churning out story after story after story. Because I remember in 2018 I think we spent a little bit of time perhaps talking about, oh, should we open up Portage Avenue? And went through a lot of the debates and the discussion as a city, and yet, all of a sudden, overnight, yeah, I think we're gonna open it up now so the stories keep giving

Tracy Koga  13:22  
no, it's pretty crazy. I think, you know, the whole internet and being virtual, not only has it, you know, meant that you can do so many more stories locally, but also beyond, beyond borders. And that's kind of that's pretty cool as a podcast, and you see your reach into different countries and to, you know, the demographic and stuff like that too. It's, yeah, it, it really is amazing. I

Matt Cundill  13:49  
recently you did a three part series on the 40th anniversary of rumors. And rumors is a pretty special place. It's a comedy club. It is located up on court, and, I believe, Avenue in Winnipeg, but Jerry Seinfeld has played there. Lot of famous people have played there. Comedian friend of mine, sugar Sammy, loves opening up his tour at rumors. It's a small, you know? It's a smaller size room, and Winnipeg is a great place to do some comedy,

Tracy Koga  14:14  
yeah? Well, anybody that can survive 40 years in anything, let alone comedy is doing really well, and they're going like gangbusters now too. And I think the best thing was, obviously, the end of COVID, bringing people together, making people laugh. I got to meet, yeah, some of the comedians, and just a really, really good bunch of people that just love to come to Winnipeg. They say that we have the best audiences. They love rumors. They love Tyler and his staff. And it's really heartwarming in a way, when

Matt Cundill  14:49  
you look ahead to 2025 What are you looking forward to in terms of subject matter or bringing people on, what stories need to be told in 2025 on your show? Go was interesting,

Tracy Koga  15:01  
because I'm working on something new, and I always want it, and he always will be a safe platform for anyone, obviously, of course, I support women and the bipoc community, women in the bipoc community, that was always at the forefront, and it'll, always will be. But going beyond that, getting people to open up and talk about their feelings on issues, on things that matter, and not only matters to the general public, but matters to them. And I think we as human beings, and the way we've been programmed, our brains only last for 90 seconds, and then something will distract you. Your phone, you see something, or your brain flips and Oh, I gotta do that. I got to do that to have those conversations where you can bring the listener in. And for me, because I'm visual, having things shot in a different way, where it's just not a two way, a face and then a face and then a face. It's actually where you're a fly in the wall, and you're listening to these two people connect and talk, but you're invisible, like a fly in the wall listening to their conversation. So, you know, those are some of the things that I want to try to do. It just has a different feel. And I guess maybe that's what I'm looking for to you, is a different feel to a conversation. What is a conversation anymore, really? And finding those true friendships, friendship, I think, is going to be my buzzword, I guess, because I don't want to use empowerment anymore. I don't want to use empathy. We know all about it, but friendship and what does that mean? So that could be something a series, I don't know, because as grown adults as like you and me making close friends, it's hard now, right? Yeah, is that an age thing or the era? I think it's both. I really do Yeah,

Matt Cundill  16:55  
because, like, you just turned 40, and I'm in my 50s, so I mean, it's yeah, you still get a buzz out of doing things live, because, you know, Wednesday night, seven o'clock, yeah, I

Tracy Koga  17:04  
do. I do. There's just that something. And, you know, too, oh, any kind of live event is because, boom, you're on, and if you screw up, well, you just have to keep going, because you can't stop and say, okay, a do over. And the fact being is that it's done, right when you say goodbye, thank you for joining us. Boom, show's done.

Matt Cundill  17:27  
You don't have to do it live like you could just record it like I do.

Tracy Koga  17:30  
Yeah. And then I was thinking, duh. Are you going through all this angst of doing something live? But that's the TV in YouTube. Tracy,

Matt Cundill  17:40  
continued success with I like you. I appreciate the work that you do, and it's great. I mean, congratulations on this podcast, like 425 plus episodes, and looking forward to a great 2025

Tracy Koga  17:52  
Thank you, Matt. Thank you so much.

Matt Cundill  17:56  
My thanks to Tracy Koga for joining me. She can be reached through her web page at, I like you.com all the connection points are on the episode page at, you may also like.net this episode was produced by Evan Surminski and edited by Taylor MacLean, and it's built with Love by everyone at the sound off media company.