Intro

Hey friends, jD here. I’m coming to you a little heavy today — because I’ve just put the final “regular” episode of the Countdown to bed. It’s all edited, all stitched together, and out of my hands now. And that’s a trip. When I started this whole thing last August with nothing more than a wild idea, an abacus, and a bunch of fan lists, I had no clue what it would become. Now we’re here — and damn, it feels equal parts surreal, emotional, and downright beautiful.

This episode isn’t just about ticking off another slot. It’s about reflecting on the journey, the people I’ve met, and the stories that have come pouring out along the way. Somewhere along the line, it stopped being about the rankings and started being about us. About the community. About the way these songs stitch into our lives and memories. That’s what’s really hit me in the gut as I wrapped this one up.

Next Week

Of course, this thing ain’t really done. We’ve still got the live finale waiting for us — October 4th at The Rec Room in Toronto. That night we find out what stands tall at number one. The Strictly Hip will be there to blow the roof off. Tara Slone will be there. Richard Beland will be there. And most importantly, you can be there too. I want to see you in the room, repping your pick, belting it out, celebrating the band we all love.

“Somewhere around episode two I realized — this was never really about the countdown at all. It was about the stories.”

About the Guest

This one’s a solo reflection, just me in your ears — but you’ll hear shoutouts to so many folks who’ve carried me through: Sara J, the membersHIP, the Discovering Downie crew, and everyone who’s shared their Hipstory along the way. You’re all part of this episode.

Get Involved

🎟️ Tickets for A Celebration of The Hip for ALS are going fast. Join us in Toronto on October 4th — all proceeds support the ALS Society of Canada. Get your tickets here.

🧠 Want to chip in but can’t make the show? Donations are open — every dollar helps us push closer to our goal.

🪙 And hey, the silent auction kicks off October 1st. Bid from anywhere, score some unreal Hip treasures, and make an impact.

Follow + Stream

📲 Instagram: @tthtop40

📘 Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

🎧 Stream the Countdown and all our Hip podcasts: dewvre.com/tthtop40

Support

This show exists because of the community around it. If you’ve found meaning here, consider joining the membersHIP, sharing the podcast with friends, or just showing up October 4th and making it loud.

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