House of Crouse

On the Saturday May 30, 2026 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Andrew Lownie, renowned royal biographer and literary agent. A Cambridge history graduate and President of the Union, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and founder of the Andrew Lownie Literary Agency, he’s known for his meticulously researched biographies that have reshaped our understanding of key 20th-century figures. His previous works include the acclaimed Stalin’s Englishman on Guy Burgess, The Mountbattens, and Traitor King on Edward VIII. His latest book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, is already being called one of the most explosive royal biographies in years.

Today we’re talking about his latest book, “Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,” a book The Times called, “A catalyst for Andrew’s de-princing.” It is first joint biography of the Duke and Duchess of York, that’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and the first full biography of either of them.

Chronicling their lives in parallel, the picture that emerges is of a spoilt prince unable to connect and a duchess pushed by her insecurities into a desperate need to maintain the attention her ‘royal’ status brought. Rigorously researched and packed full of revelations, this is a royal biography Camilla Long, writing in the Sunday Times called, “a case for revolution.”

Then, we meet Niagara-based wine, food, and travel expert Magdalena Kaiser. Daughter of the late Karl Kaiser (co-founder of Inniskillin Wines), she grew up immersed in Ontario’s wine scene—starting with tours and tastings as a teen and even helping bottle wine at age five. She serves as Director of Public Relations for Wine Country Ontario (formerly Ontario VQA), where she has spent the past 15+ years elevating the region’s international profile through media, trade, and export initiatives.

Today we talk about her new book “Niagara Wine + Food: Signature Recipes from Ontario’s Iconic Terroir—A Cookbook” which highlights the region's terroir, varietals, and unique features, and profiles 44 of the region's best and most promising producers alongside 88 delectable wine-pairing recipes featuring iconic wine styles from the region.

On the Saturday May 23, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet award-winning comedian, actor, and author Eric Johnston. His book “Run with the Bull: Three Generations of Sports and Entertainment” chronicled his journey as he broke away from his family’s legacy of professional wrestling to pursue stand-up comedy and acting. The book draws inspiration from the challenging lives and untimely deaths of his father Bullwhip Johnson and grandfather Bull Johnson, Johnson navigates the shadows of mental health and addiction that plagued his predecessors.

The book inspired a docuseries, also called “Run with the Bull,” which you can watch on Bell Fibe TV, that chronicles his mission to get healthy for the sake of his newborn son.

Then, we get to know Sonya Singh. Following the success of her debut, Sonya returns with “The Fake Matchmaker,” a delightful, trope-rich rom-com with real heart. With sharp humour and irresistible chemistry, the novel delivers a smart, modern take on dating, expectations, and the beautiful messiness of falling for someone at the wrong time. Told through a fun, fizzy rom-com lens, Manisha’s story is also steeped in Indian culture, exploring family dynamics and generational expectations with warmth and wit.

On the Saturday May 16, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jess Gibson. She is a Canadian-born writer (daughter of Margaret Atwood and the late Graeme Gibson), art historian with a Yale PhD, who has lived all over the world. Her first book "The Good Eye" is already generating buzz as a sharp, original, and "bewitching" debut. The stories explore themes like perception vs. reality, the limits of what we "see," betrayal, revenge, and everyday life tilting into the strange or magical.

Then, we get to know Nick Fradiani. He rose to national fame in 2015 as the winner of Season 14 of American Idol. His debut album Hurricane featured the hit single “Beautiful Life,” and he has since built a thriving independent career with albums like Past My Past, multiple tours, and heartfelt original music. He is currently bringing Neil Diamond to life in A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical, now playing at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto until June 7. See Mirvish.com for more details.

On the Saturday May 9, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet YouTuber, actor, screenwriter, comedian, and musician Jasmeet Raina. His series “Late Bloomer,” a dramedy about a millennial Sikh content creator balancing online ambitions, family expectations, community pressures, and personal growth, is in its third season on Crave right now. Critics call it funny, heartfelt, and eye-opening.

He rose to fame in the late 2000s/early 2010s on YouTube with sharp, satirical sketches about growing up in a Punjabi immigrant family in Guelph, Ontario. His irreverent humor on culture, family, and identity earned him millions of views and a loyal following but he stepped back from YouTube around 2018, to created, write, produce, and star in the semi-autobiographical “Late Bloomer.”

Then, we’ll meet actor Shamier Anderson. He’s best known for roles like Deputy Marshal Xavier Dolls in Wynonna Earp, Trevante Cole in Invasion (Apple TV+), and the memorable Mr. Nobody / The Tracker in John Wick: Chapter 4. He’s also involved in initiatives supporting Black Canadian talent, like co-founding awards and events with his brother, actor Stephan James.

Today we’re talking about how he made the switch from law enforcement to acting, studying kung fu and his latest role, playing controversial Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson. “Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story” is a satirical comedy miniseries for Paramount+ and GameTV that focuses on Johnson’s 1988 Seoul Olympics 100m gold medal win (and world record), the subsequent doping scandal that stripped him of it, and a “definitely-not-biased” retelling that explores the legacy, the pressure, and perhaps the bigger picture of athletics in that era.

Finally, we spend some time with Nicholas Braun. You’ve seen him in supporting roles in films like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “How to Be Single” and “Zola,” although the  6'7" actor is best known as the awkward, ambitious Cousin Greg Hirsch on Crave’s “Succession,” a role that earned him three Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Today, we’re talking about his latest project, “The Sheep Detectives,” a new, all-star whodunnit comedy now playing in theatres, about a flock of sheep attempt to solve a murder mystery.

You heard me right. This bizarre but crowd-pleasing murder mystery for the whole family that could have been titled “CSI: Livestock.” Murder, talking sheep and philosophy intertwine to create echoes of “Babe: A Pig in the City” and “Old Yeller.”

Nicolas Braun plays Tim, the only, and rather clumsy, police officer in a small town, who investigates the murder of the local shepherd played by Hugh Jackman, as a flock of crime-solving sheep try to crack the case first.

On the Saturday May 2, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jay Franco, the author of the Star Wars tie-in book “Star Wars: Be More Boba Fett.”

As every Star Wars fan knows, bounty hunter Boba Fett was selected by Empire magazine as the 79th greatest movie character of all time, and is included on Fandomania's list of The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters. IGN ranked Boba Fett as the eighth top Star Wars character, due to his fan-favourite status.

Boba Fett is also the favourite Star Wars character of my guest Jay Franco. Drawing inspiration from the bounty hunter to offer advice on embracing a freelance, entrepreneurial lifestyle, adaptability, getting the job done no matter what, and being your own boss all while weaving in Star Wars lore and humor.

Then, we’ll meet New York Actor/Singer Nick Manna. On and off Broadway you may have seen him in Shrek The Musical, Avenue Q or as Ben Franklin in 1776. Today we’ll talk about his career and touring in the lead role of Dog Man in Dog Man: The Musical, a family-friendly stage adaptation of Dav Pilkey's popular book series playing at the CAA Theatre in Toronto from May 6 to June 14. Check Mirvish.com for more details.

On the Saturday April 25, 2026 we’ll meet we’ll meet Elyse Aeryn, a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She spent nearly a decade in the pulp and paper industry—then, in her late 20s, walked away to chase the music that’s always burned inside her.

Her roots-rock sound fuses Stevie Nicks-inspired soul, with some Alanis, and memorable melodies. Her 2023 debut Joy State of Mind put her on the map with nominations and awards, and now, after overcoming a devastating motorcycle crash in 2025, she’s back. Her sophomore album Everybody Loves You… is10 tracks of bold, emotionally resonant rock that features radio-toppers like ‘Unstoppable.’

Then, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol of “Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie.”

The movie, which blends footage from the 2007–2009 web series of the same name, begins with unemployed musicians Matt and Jay (Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol) hatching a plan to land a gig at the legendary Rivoli on Queen Street West in Toronto. Without contacting the club, writing any songs or practising, they decide to parachute off the CN Tower into the Skydome during a baseball game to announce the show in front of a stunned crowd.

What could go wrong? Well, lots.

No spoilers here, but when their skydiving stunt doesn’t get them the Rivoli gig, they (along with their camera guy Jared Raab) find themselves accidentally traveling back to the year 2008, and struggling to find a way back to the future.

On the Saturday April 18, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet USA TODAY, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star bestselling author Rick Mofina. He’s the author of more than thirty crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly thirty countries.

A former journalist, he has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over Los Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He is a two-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, and a multiple finalist for the International Thriller Writers Awards and the Shamus Award, presented by the Private Eye Writers of America. Library Journal calls him "one of the best thriller writers in the business."

His latest novel, “One Second Away” is a high-octane global thriller that begins with a parent’s desperate search and rapidly escalates into an international investigation involving the FBI, uncovering a far-reaching web of secrets and lies. Set across multiple cities, the story delivers relentless suspense while exploring the emotional fallout of life-altering decisions made in an instant.

Then, we’ll meet Tom Howe, the British-born (now LA-based) film and TV composer known for his versatile work across dramatic scores, animations, documentaries, and feel-good series. He's scored over 100 projects, including major highlights like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, The Great British Bake Off and many more. We talk music and Ted Lasso with Tom.

On the Saturday April 11, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet JUNO award-winner Meghan Patrick. Her bold honesty and powerhouse presence has made her one of country music’s most compelling voices. Her 2026 JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year for “Golden Child” marks another major milestone for the Ontario native, who now lives in Nashville, in a career built on authenticity, critical acclaim, and growing international impact.

“Golden Child” is Patrick’s most personal work to date - an 18-track project rooted in self-reflection, growth, and emotional honesty. Anchored by a breakout title track that became one of the most successful releases of her career, the album has helped propel her beyond Canadian borders and into a new chapter of global recognition.

Then, we get to know Andy Hines, a Canadian filmmaker from Nova Scotia, whose feature film debut Little Lorraine is in theatres on April 17.

The son of photographer Sherman Hines, began his career as a music video director, creating videos for artists such as Alicia Keys, Keith Urban, Jason Derulo, Lizzo, Coldplay, Matthew Good and many others. He’s a Grammy nominee and his video for Big Sean's "One Man Can Change the World" was the winner of a MTV Music Video Award for Best Video with a Social Message.

Today we’re talking about his directorial feature film debut. “Little Lorraine” tells the true story of a group of coal miners in Little Lorraine, Cape Breton who lose their jobs after a mining accident. Seeking new livelihoods, they join an uncle on his lobster fishing boat, only to discover the boat is part of a larger cocaine smuggling ring. As the operation expands, involving funeral homes and caskets, the friends find themselves in too deep. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the consequences of getting involved in criminal activity, all against the backdrop of a close-knit community facing an extraordinary crisis.

On the Saturday March 28, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet singer-songwriter and producer Peter Elkas.

He’s toured the world as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with the likes of Neko Case, Joel Plaskett, and Andy Kim, released a string of celebrated solo records produced by Don Kerr and Charlie Sexton, and shared stages with everyone from Feist and Nick Lowe to The Doobie Brothers and Bruce Springsteen.

Now, “Lion Lion,” originally released on his 2018 EP Lion, is roaring back into focus thanks to an unexpected new chapter. Elkas recently stepped into the acting world, appearing as Ed—the local record store owner—in the 2026 Netflix original series Finding Her Edge. In a perfectly meta twist, the show also features “Lion Lion” in an episode Elkas appears in, with the song landing on Netflix’s official Finding Her Edge playlist.

We talk about the resurgence of the song and more!

Then, award-winning Iranian Canadian filmmaker Alireza Khatami. His debut feature, Oblivion Verses (2017), premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning multiple accolades including the Best Screenplay award in that category, the FIPRESCI Prize, and the Interfilm Award. In 2023, he co-directed Terrestrial Verses, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Today we talk about his latest film The Things You Kill, a psychological thriller exploring family dynamics, toxic masculinity, and personal trauma (drawing heavily from his own experiences). It premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance, where he won the Directing Award, and was selected as Canada's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards and it is now playing in theatres everywhere.

On the Saturday March 21, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Nat Boltt and Miriam Margolyes, the writer director and star of a new, heartwarming dramedy called “Holy Days.” The story, set in 1970s New Zealand and adapted from Joy Cowley's novel, follows a grieving young boy (Elijah Tamati) who joins the nuns on a chaotic journey across the country. They aim to save their convent (or retrieve deeds to it) while dealing with themes of loss, faith, family, and mischief.

Nat Boltt is an actress, you may remember from playing Penelope Blossom on the hit show “Riverdale.” She is a writer and director, and “Holy Days” is her first feature.

British-Australian acting legend Miriam Margolyes, OBE, is the beloved character actress who's stolen scenes for decades—from Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films and Mrs. Mingott in The Age of Innocence (which earned her a BAFTA) to countless unforgettable turns in Blackadder, Babe and  recent projects like the Oscar-nominated short A Friend of Dorothy.

Then, we’ll meet David Bouchard, a highly acclaimed Canadian author (of Métis/Ojibway heritage), former teacher and school principal, Order of Canada recipient, and passionate advocate for literacy, Indigenous stories, and cultural understanding. Today we’ll talk about his new book Dreamcatcher: Grandmother's Web.