Episodes
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EP:102 SIX DEGREES OF DOROTHY MAY
If Dorothy May ever decides to run for mayor of Hamilton..she might win. Her orbit is large; spinning around many worlds, all of them seemingly busy, connective and fruitful. She’s well liked, well known, and kinda beams whenever she speaks. Who wouldn’t vote for her? Silliness aside…I can...
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EP:101 JASON MATOS (Talisman Media Co.)
One of the greatest gifts someone can give you is their time. Jason Matos has done exactly that for me. He walked into my life just when I needed him to, as I was about to push into video/YouTube…and really, really needed HELP. We met over instagram (he obliged my request to pick his brains),...
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EP:100 I MAKE TOYS (Jamie Ricottone)
Jamie Ricottone is a Project Designer at Spin Master Ltd (Paw Patrol/Kinetic Sand/Air Hogs to name a few), and recently became the Design Lead on the wildly successful PRIMAL HATCH toy line. If you knew my cousin, you would know that this is a full circle story. I’ll explain.. Jamie was a little...
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EP:99 MAN OF GOD. OCCASIONAL COMIC. (Kevin Makins)
I must’ve sat down twenty times to write this synopsis, and Im still having a hell of a time making it make sense. Kevin Makins is a little bit too hard to quantify...so I’m gonna tell you to just take a listen. I will say this though, Kevin will use any means necessary to put his message out…
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EP:98 ARTIST (Alexander Notarangelo)
When I approached Alexander Notarangelo to be a guest on this platform, he said yes, followed by this caveat: “So, just so we’re on the same page, I am not a well liked artist in the city…” He was giving me an out, which was thoughtful, but I was not having it. I wanted to hear his story, because...
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EP:97 SIX FOOT ENERGY (Tania LaCaria)
Hamilton, Ontario is like a high school hallway…especially within the arts/hospitality/maker space. We all move through the same orbit, waving at each other on the way to class, but never really landing at a locker for a good convo or a cafeteria hang. We all kinda know each other, and we all…
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EP:96 (Clare Chiappetta)
When you have a shared experience with another person, a friendship isn’t far behind. Somehow, there is a safety and muscle memory when two people have felt the world in the same way. Cue Clare Chiappetta… Like me, Clare wrestled with obesity, body image, building a brave face, and living as a...
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EP: 95 X NIGHT #5 (Danny Miles & Tyson Bodnarchuk)
After a long break, our passion project TIMES jumps back with a fifth installment of “X Night”. This was an evening of firsts for us: - New location ( shout out Ooey Gooey’s). - 2 guests. - Bigger live audience. - Full length performance from Drummer/Producer Danny Miles (July Talk) The room was...
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EP:94 SEARCHING FOR SELF (Bethany Kenyon)
I’ve had a hard time writing a synopsis for this episode, because in a way..I don’t feel like I’m supposed to. When someone shares their story the way Bethany Kenyon did with me, it just doesn’t need any help. So, I won’t be adding any of my words to hers. If you want an example of honesty, and...
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EP:93 THE RISE & SHINE OF NICOLE RAE
Nicole Rae is one of those people that when you meet her, you immediately want to join her club. She is gracious, kind, and very, very easy company. I have been watching her sip latte’s, and sit at some of the areas finest tables these last couple years (Instagram)….and, as luck would have it, I...
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EP:92 THE KORU JOURNEY (Becky & Sarah)
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust I’ve known Becky Sutherland for the better part of ten years. The woman she is today, is worlds apart from the girl that I first met. She has been on an odyssey of self discovery, and she,...
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EP:91 JUNQ MAGAZINE (Stephanie Rico & Connor Marquis-Young)
Stephanie Rico & Connor Marquis-Young have birthed a beautiful thing, and it’s JUNQ. An independent literary magazine gathering works of writers, poets, and wild-eyed makers. It is beautiful, very cool, and above all else, a love letter to the tactile experience of print. Take a listen.
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EP:90 SOBER (Krys)
Walking away is never easy. Losing a piece of you….whatever it is, will cost its pound of flesh. Some retreat while they recover, and others do what Krys has done; pressing record and documenting the journey on social media. Alcohol. Drugs. Food. Whatever the habit, people like Krys are letting…
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EP:89 (The 9 Lives of Jeremy Potvin)
Bruce Lee famously said, “Be like water”. Go with the flow. Take the many forms, and always be moving. This is Jeremy Potvin… He is a masterclass in the art of reinvention, and his current costume change is the one that will likely stick… It looks good on him, and what he’s doing is delicious.…
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EP:88 (JAY PERRY)
I heard about Jay Perry far before I ever met him. For a while he was a philanthropic rumour; a guy doing good deeds, and a local figure pushing noble causes up big hills. Word on the street was, he was a good guy. After this interview, I can confirm that the reports are all true. Jay is...
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EP:87 THE SCRIBE (Ellie Di Julio)
I knew Ellie Di Julio was a writer. But, I didn’t know how GOOD of a writer until this last month. She’s damn good. Her recent release, “The Order & The Way” is more than a mere novel. It is a noble cause, a passion project, and a gift. Our friend Phil Owen dreamt the idea for the book, hoped on...
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EP:86 PEARL MORISSETTE (Chef Eric Robertson & Chef Daniel Hadida
Poised in the upper room of a cubist, flat black barn, lives Pearl Morissette…one of Canada’s premiere dining destinations, and recent recipient of the precious Michelin star. This is where you go to experience food that moves you and your palate. But…it is so much more than that. Pearl…
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EP:85 TINY HOME (Bianca Metz)
I’m impressed with Bianca Metz. She’s done some big things, with the Tiny Home movement. For those looking for a way forward into that world..chances are Bianca forged the path in which they will walk & build. She’s a domestic, business-savvy, policy maker, and she WILL convince you that less, is...
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EP:84 SAM & LAYLA PT.2
This is my second interview with my kids Sam & Layla. We had just finished a big summer together, and welcomed a new year of school the same day we recorded this. I wanted to remember. I want them to remember. Is this the best interview you’ll hear this year? No. Were they distracted and…
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EP:83 WIDOW (Jessica Owen)
When my friend Phil was diagnosed with cancer, I had planned to conduct an interview with him. A type of time capsule holding his voice & story for the loved ones left behind. We knew that, whether he lived or died…it had to be accomplished. We made a plan and set the date. But, it never…
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EP:82 PETER ELKAS
Peter Elkas has a unique, lived-in feel about him. A cross between ease and a kind of reclined wisdom. It’s how he carries himself, tells a story, and especially, how he writes a song (as you’ll hear in this interview/performance.) You get the sense that he has lived a hundred lives…and in many...
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EP:81 THE MOTO SOCIAL
Viktor & Samantha Radics grabbed a tiger by the tail with this one simple idea: create a way for motorcycle enthusiasts to connect. As they themselves, we’re looking for connection. See a need, fill a need…. It worked, and The Moto Social was born. Take a listen to how these early hangout…
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EP:80 HORROR, DEATH, & HUMANS (Dr. Mark Miller)
Dr. Mark Miller returns to blow up my mind, in a twofold discussion highlighting: 1. the allure and benefit of watching horror movies 2. understanding, embracing, and leaning into the eventuality & nature of death This interview was originally recorded weeks ago, and I am still thinking about it.…
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EP:79 WASTËD ŸØVTH (Jesse Warren)
Jesse Warren, aka “WASTËD ŸØVTH” is the first guest to reach out to me wanting to share their story. This isn’t something I do, as I handle the vetting & inviting…and I’m leery of anyone telling me why they should be a guest on the platform. BUT, this brief message in my inbox made me change my...
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EP:78 SURVIVOR (w/ Rachel Shuttlesworth)
In “What Sarah Said” Death Cab For Cutie perfectly says: Love is watching someone die. Its a devastating thought. And it is true. I did that very thing this year. And I can’t do it again. Cancer. The bully. The bastard. The thief. It took my close friend Phil, and it made plans to steal my best...
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EP:77 BILLY ROGERS (X Night #3)
I don’t wanna give a lot away with this one. You should discover the story like we did when this was recorded…in real time, up close, and personal. It’s a worthy listen. However, I will share this: One of my favourite moments chatting with Billy, actually took place over dinner. We were talking...
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EP:76 THE MIDDLE
This is just me and a microphone…. Trying to be honest. Trying to get better. It’s been a hell of a year so far. I needed to get what’s in me off of my chest and out of my mouth. Maybe together, we can find a window and let some light in. Much love, Rocky #interview #spotifypodcast #applepodcast...
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EP:75 CHEF JOHN FORCIER
Work Hard. Stay humble. A saying thrown around so much, it has become a bumper sticker, rather than a mantra. But, there are people that do it for real….Chef John Forcier is one of them. Birthed out of one of Canadas greatest restaurants (CANOE), John came to Hamilton, and helped build some of…
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EP:74 VANESSA HEINS
It took two years for Vanessa Heins and I to make this interview happen. There was a global pandemic, a cross-province change of address, loss, healing, work, and LIFE. Many times I wanted to leave her alone and stop pursuing the interview, but Vanessa always kept the door open and promised that...
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EP:73 DAY OF CREATIVE//FUCK UP NIGHTS (Anna Di Carlo)
Anna Di Carlo is a good human. The more time I spend with her, the more I am convinced of this. I have seen her in action with DAY OF CREATIVE (her event planning outfit specializing in creative design & social engagement), and she is GOOD at what she does. If you wanna throw a soirée and look...
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EP:72 SERVIETTE MAGAZINE (Max Meighen)
This interview was planned almost two years ago, but on my way to Toronto to chat with Max Meighen of Serviette Magazine, my engine blew, and I was forced to cancel. Not a great first impression… Thankfully, he said yes to a “re-do”, allowing me to sneak one last, and long overdue interview…
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EP:71 LTtheMONK
LTtheMonk is a musical BIG BANG. Kinda like a street party, where all the factions find common ground and have a really good time. His sound is familiar, yet “new” in the best way, and it is a welcome shift from the current hip-hop/rap norms. LT is hyper intelligent, owns a healthy ego AND a...
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EP:70 MIKE TREBILCOCK of THE KILLJOYS
I was born in the 70’s, grew up in the 80’s, and cut my teeth as a musician in the 90’s. I experienced the Grunge/Alt-Rock movement first hand, and it CHANGED me. It was a paradigm shift, a sea change, and it shaped the writer/player that I am today. I am forever grateful. Seattle was the hotbed,...
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EP:69 UNFOLD (Brooke Henshall)
When you meet Brooke Henshall, you almost immediately wanna join her club. That’s the truth…. She owns a tangible, gentle stillness that is calming, all the while making you feel seen…even in a busy coffee shop (she’s a barista at Sunday Blooms in Guelph). Brooke is a special kind of special, and...
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EP:68 L.A. WEST
I’ve only known L.A. West since late spring of this year. However, I know her enough to say this: Meeting her was like a flash-bang. An immediate connection, giving way to a very fast friendship. Out of the gate we agreed on so much, and we could disagree on things as easily as the easy stuff.…
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EP:67 OPERA (Camila Montefusco)
Camila Montefusco is a Mezzo-Soprano. An opera singer. A rare breed with the ability to throw their voice, and fill a space like a weather system. She herself, is a musical instrument… When we first met for our interview, I was immediately taken aback by her poise and confidence. So much so, that…
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EP:66 GRAPHIC. ART. (Joel Malkin)
Joel Malkin does not like to talk about himself…he seems to squirm at the notion. A self-effacing gentleman, that is also really, really talented. A kind of conundrum for a guy trying to fly under the praise radar. I came across his graphic design & illustration work via Instagram, and I...
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EP:65 PERMANENCE OF INK (Michael Byers)
When Michael Byers hung out at my cafe, he was always alone. Solitary. Peaceful. Hemmed in by coffee, a sketch book, and a pen….he was the consummate artist at work. I got to know him, and was regularly struck by his ability to turn those blank pages into something lived in, and alive. He is a...
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EP:64 JACKLYN BARBER
There is deep and abiding empathy beating within Jacklyn Barber. The lens in which she views and experiences the world, is a gift that can capture the “moments” among the endless minutes of a day. Jacklyn is a photographer, but it’s more than that. She’s a collector. A curator of images that are...
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EP:63 THE UGLY FUN (JEREMY MACFARLANE)
The Ugly Fun. A perfect band name. As clever and catchy as the music itself. Jeremy MacFarlane is the architect of this project, and he understands acutely how to shape a melody that’ll make you stop and listen. I did. He is a maker and multi-dimensional creative, and his artistic footprint seems...
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EP:62 OUR LOSS (Annie Horton)
Grief. Loss. Death. Heartbreak. Words and emotions that I dread, and go to great lengths to protect myself from. Yet, despite all of my efforts, I cannot outrun this inheritance of the human condition. All of us get scathed…but some, it seems, have been given a double portion. Annie Horton has...
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EP:61 THE MICHELIN MAN (Chef Rob Rossi)
In the fall of 2022, Canada was historically included in The MICHELIN Guide, which is to many, the final word on the best restaurants on the planet. If awarded a much-lauded MICHELIN star, an establishment will join a very small, and very elite group of hospitality heavy weights. Chef Rob Rossi...
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EP:60 STEWART MILNE
What do you get when you mix a full time firefighter, a gifted guitarist, and a vibrant visual artist? You get Stewart Milne… The guy proving that we can all do more than ONE thing really well, and most importantly…that our interests are worth pursuing. If the creative in you is wanting “more”…
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EP:59 POLARITY TATTOO STUDIO (Aaron Hopman)
Aaron Hopman is chill. He is a father, a husband, an exceptional artist, and the proud owner of Polarity Tattoo Studio. My plan for this interview was to chat with him about tattoo culture, but our time together turned into an honest talk about life, philosophy, lessons learned, and being a good...
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EP:58 THE LAUNDRY DESIGN WORKS
“The Laundry Design Works is a multidisciplinary design and concept studio that creates strategies for brands, products, and spaces.” This is putting it modestly… What they really are is a magic machine. A Wonka factory that takes an existing “thing” and transforms it into something…
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EP:57 NATALIE SEXTON
Natalie Sexton has a seriously impressive resume in television and social media (CHCH/CTV/The Marilyn Denis Show/ Hamilton Tiger-Cats). She is everywhere, and she is very good at what she does. At first glance, her sphere and brand is poised and playful. Fashion-forward and full of colour. But,...
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EP:56 KEVIN DREW (Broken Social Scene)
I met Kevin while tending bar at Dark Horse Espresso in Toronto over ten years ago. He became a regular. I became a fan of his band, Broken Social Scene. He is a beautiful soul, and a generous heart. He was the first person I asked to come on when I started the podcast, and I knew it was a…
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EP:55 THE OSCARS (Retrospective w/ Andreana Zerafa)
I am NOT a film critic…but I love film, and have been known to be mildly opinionated… Same as my guest, Andreana Zerafa. Dre and I team up to pour over 2022’s Best Picture nominees and share our thoughts, criticisms, and praises for the films on offer at this years Academy Awards. This is a fun...
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EP:54 STEVE KULAKOWSKY
Steve Kulakowsky & Core Urban Inc. helped set the stage and create space for Hamiltons historic wave of entrepreneurs, pioneers, and new locals. He and his team reclaimed and re-purposed many of the city’s forgotten buildings; turning little ghost towns into the hot spots and destinations we’ve...
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EP:53 CHEF MATTY COWAN (The Heather On Locke)
In 2016, Chef Matty Cowan set a new kind of table in Hamilton, Ontario with his restaurant, The Heather. A small, efficient, yet beautiful space serving only six guests each night. The concept was surprising, the tasting menu was stunning, and the people were eating. His new epicurean space was a...