Harmonious Gentlemen

In this episode, we share our thoughts on the upcoming Alberta referendum. Is this a golden opportunity for modern democracy or an expensive investment in divisive politics? We aren't experts, but we hope to shed some light on the questions we'll all be asked to answer in a few weeks, and demystify the context in which the questions are being asked. Despite some strong feelings, we keep it relatively harmonious and share some laughs along the way. Check out the episode and let us know what you think - and if you live in Alberta, don't forget to get out and vote on October 19th.

Kick off the new season of Harmonious Gentlemen with a deep, candid, and hilarious dive into our complicated relationships with food, drink, dining out, and the wild world of the service industry.

In this season premiere, we’re joined by special guest Rieley, owner of the iconic Alberta restaurants Cilantro and Chive (Lacombe & Red Deer). Together, we pull back the curtain on what really goes into creating a standout dining experience, the psychology behind our favorite comfort foods, and the chaos, passion, and community that drive the modern restaurant scene.

Whether you’re a lifelong foodie, a seasoned industry worker, or just someone who appreciates a good meal and a great drink, this episode serves up a perfect mix of deep insights, belly laughs, and honest conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

* The season premiere kick-off and what’s ahead for the podcast

* Rieley’s journey building Cilantro and Chive into a local favorite

* Our personal love-hate relationships with eating out and food culture

* What it takes to survive and thrive in today’s service industry

* Behind-the-scenes stories, good drinks, and plenty of laughs

Links & Resources:

* Check out Cilantro and Chive: https://cilantroandchive.ca/

* Follow Harmonious Gentlemen on Instagram: @harmoniousgentlemen

* Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

Join the gents at Phil’s as they discuss the intricacies of childhood over eggs, bacon, and shredded hashbrowns. They exchange stories, discuss the reliability of memory, and a few philosophical questions as well. How would you define childhood? When does it end? Can we ever get it back?

In this episode, the Gentlemen attempt to reflect, reset, and reharmonize. It’s a casual conversation, meandering between the professional, personal, and podcast aspects of life - but in the comfy taproom of Blindman, they stumble dangerously close to wisdom. Is the world changing in a way that makes it harder to be harmonious? After years of doing this, does anyone even know what harmonious means?

In this special summertime episode, the gents talk about travelling from different locations on the globe. What are your thoughts on travel? Is it something we should all do? How do we travel harmoniously?

What makes someone worth following?

This time, the Harmonious Gentlemen wrestle with the messy reality of leadership. Why do some leaders inspire while others divide? Is leadership earned or simply claimed? Do titles matter, or are the best leaders the people no one notices?

From history to everyday life, the conversation challenges what we think we know about influence, power, and responsibility; and asks whether all of us are leading someone, whether we realize it or not.

In this episode, the gents are joined by Elliot, the funniest teenager in Canada. They talk about the art and sport of improv, and how it makes us into better human beings. It’s a great conversation about openness, vulnerability, and saying yes. Stick around until the end when Elliot coaches Tyler, Chris, and Graham through their first improv drill. It goes about as well as you’d expect it to.

Elliot competed with Lindsay Thurber’s High School improv team, which took home gold at this year’s Canadian Improv Games National Championship.

Follow Thurber Theater Arts on Instagram here:

When did you first realize you were getting older? Was it the gray hairs, the sore back, the changing priorities—or simply the realization that time keeps moving whether we’re ready or not?

In this episode, the Harmonious Gentlemen take a break from Alberta politics to reflect on the experience of aging and ask some big questions along the way. Why do many people report becoming happier as they grow older? What does our culture get wrong about ageing? What can we learn from the world’s longest-lived communities? And how should the awareness of our own mortality shape the way we live today?

From personal stories and scientific research to philosophy, faith, and a few laughs about the realities of middle age, this conversation explores what time takes from us, what it gives back, and how we might embrace the journey ahead.

In this episode the gents were lucky enough to sit down with Dr. Jared Wesley, political scientist, commentator, and author of numerous posts on the Substack aptly titled, Decoding Politics. They talk about the need for getting back to the basics of democracy and three rules for helping us all make sense of what’s going on politically. Then, Jared shares about his work with a project called, “Common Ground”, in which he explores what it actually means to be Albertan.

Check out Jared’s Substack at: https://drjaredwesley.substack.com/

In this episode, the Gents are joined by Nate Pike - a paramedic, political commentator, and the creator of "The Breakdown," a popular independent media platform focused on Alberta politics and holding government officials accountable. They discuss his experiences in this field, and the recent proposed changes to Alberta’s electoral boundaries and this impact on our democratic rights. They also talk about his investigation into controversial government medical procurement contracts involving MHCare Medical, which led to a $6 million defamation lawsuit and a temporary court injunction against him in early 2025.