PODCAST · society
Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall
by Spare Bedroom Studios
Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later. Expect deep dives, left turns, and a host who actually listens. Episodes run 45–90 minutes and favor substance over sound bites. Recorded in Edmonton, built for anyone who likes their interviews candid, curious, and occasionally spicy. New episodes weekly. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.
Episodes
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Mitchell MacDonald on Winning a Josie Music Award
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Mitchell MacDonald returns to Solo Spotlight following a major milestone in his music career: winning Social Impact Video of the Year (Male) at the 2026 Josie Music Awards in Nashville. In this conversation, Mitchell joins Ryan MacDougall to share the story behind...
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I Thought I’d Have This Figured Out by Now
What did you expect would come more naturally by now? In this solo episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall reflects on the everyday parts of adulthood he thought he would have figured out: getting back to people, following through on plans, and enjoying a day off without feeling like he should...
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Colin Dingelstad: Chasing an Impossible MMA Dream
Colin Dingelstad started pursuing an MMA championship at 28, with limited combat-sport experience and a documentary crew following the attempt. In episode 105 of Solo Spotlight, Colin joins Ryan MacDougall to discuss IMPOSSIBLE, his ambition to become UFC lightweight champion, and what that...
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Kempes Pandey: Confidence, Attention & Building @itsjustkempes
Edmonton creator Kempes Pandey, better known as @itsjustkempes, joins Ryan for a conversation about how he went from being terrified to post content to becoming one of Edmonton’s increasingly recognizable online creators. They discuss overcoming embarrassment, rejection, going viral, dealing with...
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20 Years Later: Music for Mavericks | Arlo Maverick, Kreesha Turner & Habe Kitine
More than twenty years after their paths first crossed in Edmonton’s music scene, Arlo Maverick, Kreesha Turner and Habe Kitine come together to tell the story of Music for Mavericks. What began as a record label became something much bigger — a collective, a support system, a place for…
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Twig on Returning to Music, Starting Over at 30 and his new project
Edmonton hip-hop artist Twig joins Ryan MacDougall for Episode 102 of Solo Spotlight. Twig discusses the anxiety he experienced during his first performances, learning how to build confidence onstage and finding his identity within Edmonton’s music scene. He also reflects on stepping away from...
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Mark Wvlker Returns: Touring, Authenticity & Building an Independent Music Career
A year after his first appearance on Solo Spotlight, Mark Wvlker returns to reflect on everything that's changed. When Mark first joined the podcast, we talked about rebuilding his identity as an artist, finding his authentic voice, and taking the first steps toward a new chapter in his career....
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Mary Tibbetts on Burnout, MS, and Rebuilding a Life That Doesn’t Break You
This week on Solo Spotlight, Ryan is joined by Mary Tibbetts — keynote speaker, corporate wellness strategist, entrepreneur, founder, and MS advocate. Mary’s story is one of ambition, business success, burnout, a life-changing multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and rebuilding life with more purpose,...
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Dogboys on Brotherhood, Sobriety & Edmonton’s Dark Rap Scene
Ryan MacDougall sits down with Edmonton rap duo Dogboys for a raw conversation about brotherhood, sobriety, faith, family loyalty, and building an independent music career from the ground up. Dogboys open up about how music brought them closer as brothers, the making of their album When It’s...
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Martin Brooker on Trust, Pressure, and Real Leadership
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Martin Brooker, a retired Commodore from the Royal Australian Navy, leadership speaker, coach, and advisor, for a conversation about what real leadership looks like when the stakes are high. Martin joined the Navy at just 15 years...
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Why Your Best Ideas Don’t Happen in the Office with David Graham
On this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan is joined by David Graham, founder and Chief Exploration Officer of EDGE3, Master Certified Coach, Royal Roads faculty member, TEDx speaker, and program director at Ivey Business School for Executive Education. David shares his journey from acting and…
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Illiam on Fake Streams, Confidence & the Craft of Hip-Hop
On this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Edmonton hip-hop artist Illiam for a conversation about confidence, craft, live performance, fake streams, collaboration, and the reality of building as an independent artist. Illiam opens up about his journey from performing as Hades to...
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Summit Fever, Burnout & The Adventure Mindset: Ben Popplestone
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Ben Popplestone, a keynote speaker, strategist, and adventure mentor who brings together two worlds that may seem completely different at first: high-growth corporate leadership and high-risk adventure. Ben has spent over two decades working...
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Nick VonDub Returns: The Moon YEG, Comedy Chaos & Building a Scene
Nick VonDub returns to Solo Spotlight for Episode 93 — and this one goes deep. Since his last appearance, a lot has changed. The Moon YEG was forced into a major move after the building it operated in was sold, putting one of Edmonton’s most unique comedy spaces at risk. In this episode, Nick...
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From the Court to Culture Building: Greg Clink’s Leadership Journey
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Greg Clink, a longtime college basketball coach, former head coach of Chico State men’s basketball, and current speaker focused on leadership, communication, and building culture. Greg shares his journey from growing up in…
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From Open Mics to Headlining: Jamie Randall’s Comedy Journey
Comedian Jamie Randall joins Solo Spotlight for the first time to talk about the real work behind stand-up comedy. In this episode, Ryan and Jamie get into his journey from music into comedy, finding his voice on stage, writing and testing new material, bombing in front of a crowd, the difference...
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Sara Steeves on Survival, Healing & Reclaiming Your Voice
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Sara Steeves for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about survival, reclaiming your voice, healing after abuse, and turning lived experience into advocacy. Sara opens up about the path that led her to speak publicly, the role…
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How Murdock Altas Built Their Sound From Scratch
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, I sit down with Edmonton-based music duo Murdock Altas to break down their journey, creative process, and the mindset behind their sound. We dive into how both artists developed individually before coming together as a duo, what influences shaped their music…
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Lameese Smaili on Lebanon, Journalism, & Telling Human Stories
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Lameese Smaili to talk about growing up between Canada and Lebanon, living through crisis, teaching in Lebanon, witnessing the impact of war and displacement, returning to Canada, and building a career in journalism and long-form…
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How Ryan Cowan Turned Addiction, Prison & Pain Into Purpose
Ryan Cowan joins Solo Spotlight for a raw and deeply personal conversation about addiction, prison, sobriety, masculinity, mentorship, and rebuilding a life with purpose. In this episode, Ryan opens up about his childhood, the chaos that shaped him early, time spent in jail, the pressure of…
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The Algorithm Is the New Canon — Art History in 2026: Celia Bugno
Celia Bugno is back on Solo Spotlight for a second appearance — and this time we’re dragging art history straight into 2026. We break down the art world’s biggest pressure points right now (museums, funding, culture wars, and the attention economy), then run a full discussion segment: “Art Terms,...
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Autism Isn’t a “Label” — It’s Real Life: Yenn Purkis
In Episode 85 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Yenn Purkis — autistic and non-binary author, presenter, and advocate — for a practical, honest conversation about what autism really looks like in day-to-day life. Yenn shares their journey through diagnosis, mental health systems, and...
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Real Estate, Leadership, and Building Momentum: Nathaniel Blais
Nathaniel Blais returns to Solo Spotlight to discuss his rapid growth as a real estate agent, closing 11 deals in his first year in a highly competitive market. In this episode, Nathaniel breaks down what it actually takes to survive and grow in real estate, the mindset required to handle...
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The 3-Bus Grind, “Unforgotten,” and Building an Edmonton Sound: Karisse G
In this episode, I sit down with Karisse G to talk about his journey as an Edmonton artist—how writing started for him on a family trip to Jamaica in 10th grade, how he linked up with producer Taylor, and what it really takes to build momentum in music. Karisse breaks down the behind-the-scenes...
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Gear Won’t Save You: Studio Standards, Skill & Practice | Seriously Taylor
Seriously Taylor joins Solo Spotlight for a real conversation about what actually matters in the studio. We talk the producer/engineer perspective, what separates artists who improve from artists who stay stuck, why “better gear” doesn’t fix weak habits, and how writing/rhythm/syllables can…
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Trauma Lives in the Body: Burnout, Boundaries & EMDR | Lilly Gonoratsky
Burnout. People-pleasing. Trauma. We hear these words everywhere — but most people are still unclear on what they actually mean, how they overlap, and what genuinely helps. In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Lilly Gonoratsky, a Registered Provisional Psychologist…
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Endurance, Ethics & Frontline Medicine in Gaza: Dr. Ian MacNairn
Dr. Ian MacNairn is an emergency medicine physician and anthropologist whose career has been shaped by resilience, responsibility, and a deep belief in treating people as kin — not cases. In 2006, Ian was the victim of a hit-and-run accident that changed the trajectory of his life. Recovery led…
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Self-Belief, Small Town Pressure & Building as an Indie Artist: KYTE
This week on Solo Spotlight, I’m joined by KYTE — an independent hip-hop artist from northern Alberta — for a real conversation about building music when nobody’s handing you a shortcut. We get into discipline, self-belief, staying consistent, how he approaches writing and recording, and what the...
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Discipline, Self-Belief & The Long Game in Music: Caleb Hart
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with independent reggae artist Caleb Hart for a focused conversation on longevity, discipline, and building a sustainable creative career outside the traditional music industry. Caleb shares his journey as a fully independent artist —...
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Untangling Stress, Hormones & Fertility: Sabrina Souto
Stress, hormones, fertility, burnout… and the stories we tell ourselves about all of it. In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Sabrina Souto, an acupuncturist and comprehensive health practitioner who helps people untangle their nervous system, belief systems, and biology the…
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The Craft of Hosting & Human Storytelling: Katanya Timinsky
Katanya Timinsky returns to Solo Spotlight for a deeper look into her evolution as a storyteller and the creation of her long-form interview series, The Ethos of Humanity. Our first conversation explored her humanitarian photography in Ukraine and how she learned to hold space for voices affected...
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Conscious Rap, Self-Worth & Building a Platform for Artists: Vintage $oul
Edmonton’s got talent — and Vintage $oul is proof. In this episode, we sit down with the Edmonton-born artist to talk about conscious, self-aware, old-school leaning hip-hop, why he wants listeners to take a hard look at their lives, and how his music pulls from real experiences like…
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The Artist Who Turned Fear Into Fire: Tea Fannie
Join us for a powerful conversation with Tea Fannie, one of Alberta’s most unique and compelling hip-hop voices. From growing up across Canada as a military kid, to discovering poetry, to finally stepping into the spotlight as a rapper and songwriter, Tea breaks down the real story behind her...
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Edmonton Through His Lens: Lincoln Ho (YEG Ventures)
In Solo Spotlight Episode 72, Ryan sits down with Edmonton storyteller and creator Lincoln Ho — the mind behind @yegventures For more than a decade, Lincoln has been documenting Edmonton’s history, culture, food scene, architecture, and hidden corners. This episode dives into how he built YEG...
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Adven Villa: The Long-Term Mindset
In Episode 71 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Adven Villa, creator of the Long-Term Podcast, psychology student, street-interview storyteller, and rising Edmonton creative. This episode dives deep into: Growing up in chaos & building discipline from scratch How podcasting became a tool for...
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Arlo Maverick: The Evolution of Edmonton Hip-Hop
In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Edmonton hip-hop veteran Arlo Maverick — a storyteller, mentor, and cultural architect whose 25-year journey mirrors the evolution of Canadian hip-hop itself. From his early days founding Politic Live to his solo albums Maybe Tomorrow, Soul...
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Jesse Watson Returns: Life After the Campaign
A year after running for Edmonton city council, Jesse Watson returns to Solo Spotlight to talk about life after the campaign. He shares what the experience taught him — the scrutiny, the pressure, and how it changed the way he looks at politics and people. Ryan and Jesse get into accountability,...
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Why Joey Stoneburgh Has His Own Show Now
In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with fellow host Joey Stoneburgh—the creator and voice behind Prime Joe Time, the newest series under the Spare Bedroom Studios network. Joey’s journey has been defined by resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of something real. After more than a…
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Edmonton’s Next Mayor? Andrew Knack Breaks Down the City’s Future
Before You Vote: Andrew Knack on Edmonton’s Future In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with mayoral candidate Andrew Knack to talk about what’s at stake in Edmonton’s upcoming election — from affordability and housing to safety, transit, and local leadership. Recorded in...
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Jon Morgan: How to Get the South Side Moving
If half your commute is just escaping your own neighborhood, this one’s for you. Jon Morgan (Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi — ih-PEE-koo-kah-nih-bee-OW-tsee) spent 18 years inside ETS (bus → dispatch → LRT control). We get brutally practical about reliable routes, LRT station safety, Southwest choke...
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Troy Pavlek: The Truth About Edmonton Politics
In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Troy Pavlek — software developer, civic watchdog, theatre reviewer, and co-host of Speaking Municipally — to unpack Edmonton’s 2025 municipal election and the bigger picture of what’s happening inside City Hall. Troy shares a candid…
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Greg Cooper: From Idea to Execution
From the tatami to the coaching floor, Greg Cooper shares the systems that beat motivation, his 24-hour reset when discipline slips, what he’s building at Kodokwai Judo Club, and practical steps for men’s mental health—plus three non-negotiables and the red flags he wants you to avoid. Topics…
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Colin Reid: Roads, Responders & Real Priorities
Local government isn’t sexy, but it’s where your life actually changes. Colin Reid walks through what he’s hearing at the door (roads, response times, cell coverage), how he prioritizes “two right answers,” and what a councillor really does (liaison, set priorities & funding; admin executes). We...
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Uncle Hack (Danger Cats) - Origin Story, Building Danger Cats, Real Talk
Uncle Hack @DangerCats69 pulls up to Solo Spotlight and we get into the whole arc—oil patch shifts → sketch grind → “Rules of the Patch” blowing up → sobriety reset → first open mic → building Danger Cats → and the infamous 3-venue fail-safe for canceled shows. If you’re chasing stage time (or…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later.
Expect deep dives, left turns, and a host who actually listens. Episodes run 45–90 minutes and favor substance over sound bites. Recorded in Edmonton, built for anyone who likes their interviews candid, curious, and occasionally spicy.
New episodes weekly. Produced and published by Spare Bedroom Studios.
HOSTED BY
Spare Bedroom Studios
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall have?
Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall about?
Solo Spotlight is where real people get real time. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down for unfiltered, long-form conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and out-of-left-field thinkers. No scripts, no fluff—just honest stories, hard-won lessons, and the kind of moments you replay later....
How often does Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall release new episodes?
Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall?
You can listen to Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall?
Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall is created and hosted by Spare Bedroom Studios.
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