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 late-night comedy gigs

🎟 Producing shows like Underdog Comedy, The Standup Show, and Help, I’m Joking

📏 Building a tight five, crowd work, and stage presence

💬 How comedians find their voice and handle hecklers

🔥 The hidden challenges of being a woman in comedy

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to grind in the comedy scene while raising a family, this episode is a must-watch.

📍 Underdog Comedy Show – Thursdays, 9PM, Black Dog Freehouse

🎟 The Standup Show – Fridays, Grindstone Theatre

🎥 Help, I’m Joking – Professional tapings of local comics

🔗 Follow Alex: https://www.instagram.com/alexjockojokes/

📲 Follow Spare Bedroom Studios: @spare_bedroom_studios

💬 Like, comment, and share your favorite moment!

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#SoloSpotlight #AlexJocko #StandupComedy #ComedyPodcast #WomenInComedy #EdmontonEvents #CanadianComedy #SpareBedroomStudios #PodcastInterview #ComedyGrind

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 culture—Chick-fil-A’s franchise model gets torched. But it doesn’t stop there.

This one’s got everything: legal drama, NBA fines, tech dystopia, and jokes that might just get us banned.

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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 Lyft.

- Navigating Canada’s complex insurance and regulatory landscape. - Scaling sustainably—why slower can mean stronger.

- Harrison’s personal philosophy on entrepreneurship, authenticity, and growth.

🎯 Key takeaway: “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” 🚗

Support & Learn More About HOVR:

https://www.ridehovr.com/

https://www.frontfundr.com/hovr

https://www.instagram.com/ridehovr/

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Solo Spotlight!

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https://www.instagram.com/spare_bedroom_studios

TikTok: spare_bedroom_studios

Facebook: spare bedroom studios

#SoloSpotlight #HOVR #HarrisonAmit #Entrepreneurship #CanadianBusiness #StartupStories #DisruptiveInnovation #RideShare #TransparencyMatters #NoCommissions #PodcastEpisode #ScalingUp #BusinessAdvice #Leadership #YEGPodcast #SpareBedroomStudios

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 rejection, and balancing the challenges of entrepreneurship with his passion for helping others.

With his upcoming Spartan Race on August 9, Bryce is pushing himself out of his comfort zone while raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health—highlighting the importance of redefining strength, vulnerability, and resilience for men everywhere.

Support Bryce’s Spartan Race fundraiser for men’s mental health here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vjj9u-support-mens-mental-health/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_US&attribution_id=sl%3A7fd891c4-7da7-4a81-b6c4-7db4e3d3b832&ts=1753375066

👉 Follow Bryce: instagram.com/brycemacarthur

🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Pursuing Horizons Podcast: @PursuingHorizonsPodcast

🎙 Watch more Solo Spotlight Episodes: @Sparebedroomstudios ​

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? Drop it below.

#TheConversationalist #SpareBedroomStudios #Podcast #DeathThreatDMs #EpsteinFiles #TasteOfEdmonton #LittleCaesars #AIPanic #ComedyPodcast #RichRyanMarkLewis

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, Curt’s story reveals how discipline, humility, and emotional control can be cultivated on the mats—and transferred to life beyond them. The conversation moves through the program’s formation, student engagement, and the challenge of earning respect as a coach in a school setting, while also tapping into deeper questions around teaching philosophy and long-term impact.

🔗 Follow & Support:

📸 Follow Curtis: @blackbeltturtle

🎙️ Follow the show: @Sparebedroomstudios

If you enjoyed this conversation, leave a review, subscribe, or share it with someone who believes in reinventing how we approach education, discipline, and mentorship. New episodes of Solo Spotlight drop weekly — don’t miss what’s next.

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!

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 just real talk with friends, this episode delivers the laughs, insights, and authentic vibes you love.

👍 Like this episode? Hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes full of laughs, hot takes, and deep dives!

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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 creativity to questioning the ethics of media sensationalism, this episode invites listeners into a nuanced, emotional dialogue about empathy, art, and the lines we draw as storytellers.

📸 All photos featured in this episode were taken by Katanya during her time in Ukraine.

📸 Follow Katanya on Instagram: @katanyatiminsky

🎤 Watch her TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eomFfdvEspo

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 what success really looks like when you’re playing the long game.

📱 Subscribe to the channel: @SpareBedroomStudios

🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere you stream podcasts.

#MitchMacDonald #SoloSpotlight #IndependentArtist #CreativeJourney #MusicianMindset #Persistence #PodcastEpisode #SpareBedroomStudios