Editor, Writer, Strategist

Stories worth
reading on a
Saturday morning.

15+ years building, rebuilding, and stewarding independent media — from founding new publications to revitalizing legacy ones. I define editorial vision, grow real audiences, and run the operation behind the work.

Selected work ↓ stephensmys@gmail.com Vancouver, BC
Featured

Georgia Straight · 2023

Making a Horror Film While Living Out My Own Personal Horror Story

Personal essay

A tale of two horrors. A first-person essay written while editing the Georgia Straight — on filmmaking, personal crisis, and what it means to tell a story when you're still inside it.

Georgia Straight · 2023

The Mirror World Explained: A Q&A with Naomi Klein

Klein on doppelgangers, conspiracy culture, and how the internet scrambles identity — timed to the release of Doppelganger.

Interview

BCBusiness

Why Psychedelic Retreats Are Becoming Big Business for Burned-Out Leaders

A reported feature on the fast-growing industry of executive psychedelic therapy — and what it says about how we think about mental health, performance, and healing.

Reported feature

RANGE · 2024

Ground Control to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

A closer look at the flight path of the autonomous Aussie psych-rock superheroes — on creative independence, prolific output, and operating outside the industry.

Profile / interview

The Level · 2025

Was Indigenous Land in Canada Actually Stolen?

A direct, reported answer to a question that gets asked in bad faith and deserves a good-faith response — on land, treaties, law, and history.

Explainer

The Level · 2025

What Does Disney's Embrace of AI Mean for the Future of Art?

On what happens when the world's most powerful cultural institution bets on generative AI — and what's actually at stake for artists, audiences, and the idea of authorship.

Essay
Stephen Smysnuik

The editor behind the work

I'm a senior editorial, audience, and brand leader with 15+ years of experience building, rebuilding, and stewarding independent media organizations. My background spans journalism, publishing, and brand strategy, with a consistent focus on audience trust, clarity of mission, and long-term sustainability.

I've founded publications from scratch, revitalized legacy ones, and led editorial operations across print, digital, newsletter, and social. Whether I'm defining a brand voice, commissioning long-form work, or managing a contributor network, I bring the same discipline: high standards, real publishing cadence, and a genuine belief that the work should earn its audience rather than chase it.

I'm based in Vancouver, BC. My editorial sensibility runs wide — culture, food, craft, cities, technology, the internet — and I believe the best editorial properties feel like they come from a single, coherent point of view, no matter how many formats they publish in.

Founding Editor-in-Chief

The Level

Apr 2025 – Feb 2026 · Vancouver, BC

Founded and led a new digital media brand — defining editorial vision, brand voice, and content standards across newsletter, website, and social. Built audience growth strategy with emphasis on short-form video and platform-native storytelling.

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

The Georgia Straight & Overstory Media Group

May 2022 – Feb 2024 · Vancouver, BC

Led the editorial and organizational rebuilding of a legacy independent publication. Modernized voice, clarified audience focus, and relaunched products across print, digital, social, and newsletter with an emphasis on public trust and community connection.

Principal

Moon Dog Media & Consulting

Nov 2018 – Present · Vancouver, BC

Media, content, and brand strategy engagements for media, education, and consumer-focused organizations. Develops editorial frameworks, brand voice guidelines, and content strategy designed to increase engagement and loyalty.

Founder & Editor

The Growler

Sep 2014 – Oct 2016 · Vancouver, BC

Founded and scaled BC's first dedicated craft beer magazine — built editorial strategy, contributor network, and brand identity from scratch, growing a loyal niche audience.

Digital Editor

Glacier Media

Sep 2012 – Sep 2014 · Vancouver, BC

Led digital editorial strategy across multiple publications. Drove traffic and engagement growth through new formats and audience-focused content.

Arts & Culture Editor

Pique Newsmagazine

Jun 2010 – Sep 2012 · Whistler, BC

Covered arts, culture, and business; managed freelance contributors. Promoted from council reporter to Arts Editor.

Let's talk about
the work.

I'm open to conversations about editorial leadership roles. The best way to reach me is email — I read everything and respond to things that feel like genuine fits.

stephensmys@gmail.com