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PODCAST

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard Lubin

Spare Bedroom Studios

The Conversationalist is a no-rules roundtable hosted by Ryan MacDougall and Richard Lubin, with a rotating cast of friends and co-hosts. Every episode is a collision of hot takes, internet chaos, and unapologetic humor.From viral headlines and pop-culture meltdowns to sports debates and absurd everyday stories, nothing is off the table. Expect raw opinions, hilarious tangents, and the kind of off-the-rails energy you’d only find in an unfiltered group chat.Recorded out of Edmonton, powered by Spare

society & culture

All Episodes

82:15

Levi Biddlecombe (Backstairs Burger): From $13 to...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/19

Chef/owner Levi Biddlecombe joins Solo Spotlight to break down the founder grind behind Backstairs Burger: from $13 in the account to lines out the door. We get into the food-truck sprint, the Breakfast TV pop, and how to scale fine-dining technique without losing soul. Real ops, real numbers, real craft—house American cheese, house pickles, “bacon glass,” and the blueprint that actually holds.IN THIS EPISODE: • The $13 → sold-out arc: momentum, mistakes, and what changed • The TV break &

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81:48

Court Reporting & Closed Captioning at 225 WPM —...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/14

Real-time captions aren’t a magic button—they’re a human sprint. Court reporter & close captioner Elise Eichmüller joins me to demystify how captions actually get to your screen, why humans are the gold standard, and what strong training programs (like NAIT’s) mean for accuracy, accessibility, and justice.IN THIS EPISODE:• How live captions work (pre-hookup, modem checks, ~3s delay buffer, rapid fix window) • The skills bar: 225 WPM for 5 minutes at ~95% accuracy—and what that sounds like •

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73:04

From Global Activism to City Hall — Dr. Farhan Chak...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/11

Dr. Farhan Chak joins Solo Spotlight to trace his path from global activism and the book “Nuclear Flashpoint” to teaching and, now, serving his community at the city level. We dig into prevention over performance, why language and dignity matter in public life, and how participation (not posturing) actually fixes things.IN THIS EPISODE:• Global → local: lessons that translate to safer streets and clearer decisions • “Prevent problems early” — what that looks like at the municipal level • Teaching →

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80:30

Drive-Thru Sins, Area 51 Lies & Petty Hills We’ll Die...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/09

A brutally honest hang with Ryan, Lewis, and Mark: drive-thru war crimes, the eternal green-bubble debate, QR menus that hate you, and a quick autopsy of that Area 51 documentary. Also: festival talk, “bubbles” culture, and a viral relationship mess that had us yelling at our screens. If you’ve ever ordered for a small nation at a drive-thru…this one’s for you.Watch next: More hot takes, fewer napkins. Subscribe so you can tell us we’re wrong in real time. Support the show / Start your own podcast:

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83:45

Daniel Brimblecombe: From Near Bankruptcy to Stoic...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/05

In this deep and honest conversation, Ryan Macdougall sits down with Daniel Brimblecombe, an Australian entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience scaling businesses, navigating near bankruptcy, and mastering the mindset required to thrive in the face of adversity.Daniel shares candid stories from his early days — from struggling with cash flow and leadership challenges to the emotional toll of burnout and tough business decisions. He opens up about mixing friendship and business, learning hard

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71:06

Solo Spotlight Ep 46 | Alex Jocko: Balancing Comedy,...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/08/01

In this Solo Spotlight episode, Ryan sits down with comedian, producer, and instructor Alex Jocko for a hilarious and raw conversation about the comedy grind, motherhood, and the art of hosting shows that keep Edmonton laughing. From her theatre roots to co-running Canada’s longest-running free comedy show, Alex shares the unfiltered truth about building a career in stand-up while juggling family life.We dive into:🎭 Her journey from musical theatre to stand-up👩‍👦 Balancing motherhood with

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70:31

The Conversationalist – Ep 46: From Courtroom...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/31

In Episode 46 of The Conversationalist, Ryan, Mark, Rich, and Lewis go full throttle for over an hour of raw takes and unfiltered insight. The gang opens with wild speculation around the Epstein files, shady celebrity connections, and Trudeau jokes, before diving into the dark truths of false accusations and how the justice system breaks people.From there, things spiral into LaMelo Ball’s controversial tattoo, WNBA betting scandals (yes, period props), and a heated roast of fast food

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70:37

HOVR CEO Harrison Amit on Disrupting Rideshare, and...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/28

In Episode 45 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Harrison Amit, CEO and founder of Canadian rideshare disruptor, HOVR. Harrison shares his journey in creating a no-commission rideshare model, how transparency and fairness are reshaping the transportation industry, and what it takes to scale a Canadian startup globally.In this conversation:- The unique HOVR business model: no commissions, fair pricing, driver-first approach. - Challenges in disrupting an industry dominated by giants like Uber and

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74:31

Bryce MacArthur on Pain-Free Fitness, Spartan Races &...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/24

In Episode 44 of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with Edmonton-based certified trainer, entrepreneur, podcast host, and mental health advocate Bryce MacArthur.Bryce shares his personal and professional journey, from working in commercial gyms to building his own coaching business, B3 Coaching, specializing in helping clients train pain-free and develop a mindset built for long-term success. Bryce also dives deep into overcoming personal barriers like imposter syndrome, navigating

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74:19

Dude Threatened Your Life?! Death Threat DMs, and...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/24

Rich is calling in from Ottawa, Lewis is back in the studio, and things get spicy fast. From a legit death threat in the DMs to $11 beers at Taste of Edmonton, Little Caesars “hot & ready” chaos, and the never‑ending mystery of the Epstein files—Ep. 44 is unhinged in the best way.We also hit AI paranoia, festival rip‑offs, and that classic Spare Bedroom Studios mic scramble to kick things off. Buckle up. 👇What’s the wildest DM you’ve ever gotten? Or the biggest festival rip‑off you’ve seen

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73:36

Solo Spotlight EP 43 | Bringing BJJ Into the...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/17

This episode of Solo Spotlight delivers an inspiring look at how martial arts—specifically Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—can reshape the classroom experience. Host Ryan MacDougall sits down with Curtis Malin, a 3rd-degree black belt and director of The BJJ Program in Edmonton, to explore how he brought BJJ into local schools and why it's about so much more than physical fitness.From its grassroots origins as an after-school club to becoming a for-credit elective in North Edmonton’s public school system,

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79:21

The Conversationalist Ep. 43: Stampede Shenanigans,...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/16

Welcome back to The Conversationalist! In Episode 43, Ryan, Rich, Mark—and our guest “Sweet Lou” Lewis—take you on a wild ride from Calgary Stampede hijinks to Diddy controversies, AI deep‑fakes, and our brand‑new “Recycling Bin” cringe‑clip reactions. Plus: board‑game banter, movie hot takes, UFC talk, travel tales, and more!

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78:04

What’s REALLY Happening with Diddy, The Oilers & Rick...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/04

Welcome to Episode 42 of The Conversationalist! Join Ryan, Lubin, and Mark as they break down the biggest news and hottest topics right now — from Diddy’s shocking racketeering trial and verdict to the latest NHL offseason moves impacting the Edmonton Oilers. They also share hilarious and wild stories about wrestling legend Rick Flair’s bar antics, dive into celebrity culture conspiracies, and reflect on recent tragic losses in sports and entertainment.Whether you’re here for sports, pop culture, or

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81:48

War, Grief & the Human Spirit: Katanya Timinsky’s...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/07/04

In this deeply personal episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Canadian-Ukrainian photographer, TEDx speaker, and humanitarian Katanya Timinsky for a raw and reflective conversation on the power—and responsibility—of visual storytelling.Katanya opens up about her emotional volunteer mission to Ukraine in the wake of the 2022 invasion, where she documented the human toll of war while grappling with the moral weight of capturing tragedy. From navigating grief and reconnecting through

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62:39

How to Stay Consistent: Mitch MacDonald’s Insights |...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/27

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with rising musician Mitch MacDonald for an honest, grounded conversation about staying consistent when no one’s watching, pushing through self-doubt, and building something meaningful without chasing algorithms.Mitch opens up about his journey from early inspiration to the internal battles of being a working artist — and why he continues to create without industry hype or validation. They talk creative identity, burnout, pressure, and

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85:25

The Conversationalist Ep. 41 – NBA Finals Fallout,...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/24

We’re back after a short break with a jam-packed episode covering the chaos of the NBA Finals, Jon Jones’ shocking retirement, and a Disney breakfast that costs more than your rent. Ryan, Richard, and Mark break down Tyrese Haliburton’s heartbreaking injury, debate the real value of a championship, and question whether KD is worth trading generational talent.But it’s not all sports — we dive into real-life bar fight etiquette, U-Haul horror stories, and the absurdity of Disneyland pricing. If you’ve

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76:47

The Fight Within: David MacLeod on Discipline,...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/20

In Episode 39 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with returning guest David MacLeod—martial artist, black belt, and lifelong student of growth—for a raw and wide-ranging conversation about discipline, self-accountability, and the evolving world of combat sports.David opens up about his recent double bronze win in Judo, what competition looks like at the black belt level, and how martial arts has shaped his personal life and mental resilience. Together, he and Ryan explore the

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82:29

Solo Spotlight Ep. 38 – Zyxon Ebenflow: Art, Ego, and...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/14

In Episode 38 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Zyxon Ebenflow – a creator who wears many hats: musician, stand-up comic, podcaster, and aspiring ayahuasca shaman.This episode dives deep into Zyxon’s creative process, the power of vulnerability, the battle with ego, and his pursuit of spiritual clarity. We talk about how criticism shapes our identity, why he embraces imperfection, and how he’s working to help others find healing through art and psychedelics.🔗 SUBSCRIBE to the

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53:12

Grassroots to City Hall: Jesse Watson on Coffee,...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/14

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with Jesse Watson—the owner of Boxcar Coffee, long-time Calder local, and candidate for Edmonton City Council. It’s a wide-ranging, candid conversation about what it takes to turn a “rough” neighborhood into a thriving community, the realities of small business ownership, and why grassroots leadership matters more than ever.From the inspiration behind Boxcar Coffee’s iconic design, to the quirks and challenges of running a coffee shop

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69:16

The Conversationalist Ep. 40 – Q&A Special: Street...

The Conversationalist with Ryan MacDougall & Richard... ·

2025/06/05

In this special Q&A episode of The Conversationalist, hosts Ryan, Richard, and Mark dive headfirst into questions submitted by listeners from across Canada. Tune in for hilarious stories about chaotic neighborhood street parties, heartfelt confessions of skydiving fears, and engaging debates on the ethics of artificial intelligence and ancient civilizations.This lively episode covers everything from basketball hot takes, personal regrets, and East Coast versus Alberta living, to bizarre

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