In this powerful episode of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with professional martial artist Alexander Krutskykh—a Karate Combat fighter, Golden Gloves boxing champion, certified nutritionist, and personal coach.

Born in Ukraine and now based in Canada, Alexander shares his journey from childhood competitions to global fight stages, revealing how hardship, discipline, and an unshakable mindset shaped his path. From overcoming immigration struggles to earning his shot in Miami with Karate Combat, Alex opens up about staying grounded, finding purpose, and what it truly means to “Stay Brave.”

Whether you're a combat sports fan, an athlete, or someone chasing their dream, this is a story of courage, persistence, and the will to rise—again and again.

🎧 Available on all platforms:

📍Follow Alexander: @alxndr_kru

📍Follow us: @Spare_Bedroom_Studios

In Episode 38 of The Conversationalist, Ryan, Rich, and Mark welcome special guest Kelvin “Sweet Lou” Lewis—a viral sensation and transit officer with stories you wouldn’t believe. From his unexpected rise to Edmonton meme fame to unfiltered dating disasters and dark comedy film breakdowns, this episode is unpredictable in the best way.

The gang dives into everything from NBA/NHL playoffs and public freakouts to Diddy conspiracy theories, Cassie court drama, and why lyrics like “Rain on Me” might mean a little more than you thought. Plus, we hear Sweet Lou’s dating stories—including a jaw-dropping catfish date with a little person—and try to figure out if Jason Statham’s career is just one long hallway fight.

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In Episode 31 of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with Shiloh Kenny, the founder of Operation Strong Dad. Shiloh shares his profound journey through childhood trauma, military service, mental health struggles, and the transformative power of fatherhood. This candid conversation delves into the complexities of healing, masculinity, and the courage it takes to break generational cycles.

Shiloh Kenny is the creator of Operation Strong Dad, a platform dedicated to supporting fathers navigating the challenges of trauma, mental health, and personal growth. Drawing from his own experiences with childhood adversity and military service, Shiloh offers insights and resources aimed at fostering resilience and intentional fatherhood. His mission is to empower men to heal and lead with authenticity.

If Shiloh's story resonated with you, consider following and supporting Operation Strong Dad:

Instagram: @operationstrongdad

In Episode 30 of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with rising independent wrestler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor Jack O’Connor for a candid, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to carve out space in the world of pro wrestling.

Born in the UK and raised in Alberta, Jack brings a unique perspective to the ring — combining a legit MMA and kickboxing background with the performance demands of being a heel on the indie wrestling scene. Together, Ryan and Jack unpack the psychology of in-ring storytelling, the struggle of balancing day jobs with passion, and the reality of mental and physical wellness behind the scenes.

From hecklers and small-town circuits to dream trips to Mexico and Japan, this episode is packed with insight, authenticity, and a behind-the-curtain look at what it's like to build something real while still finding your place in the spotlight.

In Solo Spotlight Episode 28, Ryan sits down with Oskar, a Serbian-born tattoo artist now thriving in Edmonton, Alberta. Oskar takes us through his fascinating journey from Serbia, detailing his initial inspiration to become a tattoo artist, his experiences fronting a metal band, and the challenges and triumphs of immigrating to Canada. Oskar reflects deeply on creativity, resilience, and the personal growth required to pursue his passions abroad. This episode explores the dynamics of working in tattoo shops, the emotional realities of immigration, balancing ambition with mental health, and embracing life's uncertainties.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro & Meeting Oskar

00:05:00 - Fitness as a Creative Reset

00:10:00 - Starting Tattooing in Serbia

00:20:00 - Mentorship and Learning Tattoo Artistry

00:28:00 - Deciding to Immigrate to Canada

00:35:00 - Challenges of Immigration and Integration

00:42:00 - Managing Anxiety & Patience

00:49:00 - Music, Bands, and Creative Passion

00:54:00 - Importance of Collaboration and Community

01:00:00 - Client Relationships & Tattoo Shop Culture

01:05:00 - Reflections & Advice for Future Artists

01:10:00 - Episode Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

🎧 Follow Oskar: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oskartattooer/

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YouTube: Spare Bedroom Studios

Instagram: @Spare_bedroom_studios

#SoloSpotlight #SpareBedroomStudios #TattooArt #ImmigrantStories #CreativeJourney #TattooArtist #SerbiaToCanada #EdmontonPodcast #PersonalGrowth #ArtistLife #CanadianCreators #TattooCulture

In this Bonus Episode 29 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan MacDougall sits down with the electrifying and fearless Amazing Boobzilla—a viral circus performer known for her outrageous stunts, sword swallowing, and unapologetic embrace of body positivity.

From touring with Paranormal Cirque IV across Canada to surviving a traumatic past and reclaiming her identity through performance art, Boobzilla shares an unfiltered look into the life of a sideshow star. This conversation is raw, eye-opening, and unforgettable.

🎟️ Catch The Amazing Boobzilla LIVE with Paranormal Cirque IV:

📍 Edmonton, AB – West Edmonton Mall 🗓️ May 2–12, 2025

📍 Red Deer, AB – Parkland Mall 🗓️ May 16–19, 2025

🔗 Follow Boobzilla on Instagram: @theamazingboobzilla

📣 Support the show & subscribe: Spare Bedroom Studios

💬 Leave a comment if this episode challenged your perspective.

#SoloSpotlight #TheAmazingBoobzilla #ParanormalCirque #BurlesquePerformer #BodyPositivity #Sideshow #SwordSwallower #CircusLife #SpareBedroomStudios #BonusEpisode

In Episode 27 of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan MacDougall sits down with Alberta-based hairstylist and entrepreneur Alex Charter for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation.

Alex opens up about her journey from small-town Nova Scotia to building a thriving independent business in Alberta, and how she navigated the emotional aftermath of experiencing a stillbirth while running her studio.

They dive into what it really takes to succeed in the beauty industry, how hustle culture collides with the new wave of work-life balance, and the lessons Alex learned about resilience, self-worth, and putting yourself back together after life shatters you.

This episode is raw, real, and relatable — for anyone who's ever had to rebuild from the ground up.

00:00:00 – Intro: Meet Alex Charter

00:03:45 – From Nova Scotia to Alberta: Her Journey

00:07:10 – Breaking Into the Hair Industry

00:12:25 – Going Independent & Running a Studio

00:17:40 – Navigating Burnout & Work-Life Balance

00:22:10 – The Reality of Hustle Culture

00:28:45 – Client Loyalty and Losing Clients

00:34:10 – Experiencing a Stillbirth: Her Story

00:42:20 – Grieving While Still Showing Up to Work

00:49:35 – Rebuilding Her Business & Mental Health

00:55:00 – Advice for Entrepreneurs & Young Stylists

01:00:15 – Outro Reflections: Growth Through Pain

🎙️ FOLLOW ALEX CHARTER

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acstyle.yeg/

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Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sparebedroomstudios

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spare_bedroom_studios

Email: [email protected]

for guest inquiries or partnerships.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to help us grow and keep telling real stories that matter.

#SoloSpotlight #SpareBedroomStudios #AlexCharter #HairstylistLife #WomenInBusiness #MentalHealthMatters #Entrepreneurship #GriefAndHealing #StillbirthAwareness #Resilience #CanadianPodcast #realtalk

In Episode 37 of The Conversationalist, Ryan, Rich, and Mark link up for one of their funniest and most brutally honest conversations yet.

From creating ridiculous political platforms (Cheese Stick Mondays, anyone?) to reflecting on fatherhood, theme park PTSD, and the ethics of emojiing your baby’s face online—this episode is packed with wild stories, hilarious takes, and meaningful insights.

The boys also break down the NBA and NHL playoffs, debate the state of amusement parks, talk about viral courtroom clips, and discuss what real charity looks like. It’s peak Conversationalist chaos, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

💬 Drop a comment with your thoughts and don’t forget to subscribe—because we’re just getting started.

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📺 YouTube: @spare_bedroom_studios

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🎙️ Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The Conversationalist + Solo Spotlight

📧 Inquiries/Guests: [email protected]

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Opening banter & Oilers win

02:00 – Pope Robert Prevost & Black Pope discourse

06:30 – Political seat swap = cuck move?

10:00 – Pizza Party platform & Domino’s hacks

15:00 – Wild amusement park stories & Ferris wheel trauma

22:00 – Parenting, manipulation, and tough love

29:00 – Until Dawn movie review & movie rating scale

34:00 – NBA Playoffs: Knicks, Lakers, and Thunder drama

40:00 – Oilers round two hype

47:00 – Posting baby pics with emojis?

52:00 – Ryan’s babysitting story & 5-year-old tactics

55:00 – Mark talks terrible twos & parenting patience

59:00 – The Nine Nanas and anonymous generosity

1:04:00 – Viral paternity case: Only one of the babies is his?

1:08:00 – Outro, giveaway details & shoutouts

#TheConversationalist #SpareBedroomStudios #PodcastEpisode #PizzaPolitics #ParentingPodcast #NBAPlayoffs #NHLPlayoffs #FunnyPodcast #CanadianPodcast #OilersNation #DadLife #PodcastHumor #EdmontonPodcast #RSSdotcom #KLCleaningYEG

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, host Ryan engages in a profound conversation with Nimir Raval, a seasoned coach, counselor, and leadership consultant based in Edmonton. With over two decades of experience spanning corporate, non-profit, and entrepreneurial sectors, Nimir offers a wealth of knowledge in holistic wellness and leadership development.

The discussion delves into the multifaceted nature of wellness, exploring how mental, emotional, financial, and organizational health are interconnected. Nimir shares insights on the distinctions between coaching and therapy, the importance of aligning the head, heart, and gut—a concept he refers to as the "Three-Brain Tango"—and the challenges within Canada's mental health system.

🧑‍💼 About Nimir Raval

Nimir Raval is a Certified Coach (ACC), Registered Social Worker (RSW), and holds a Master's in Social Work and a Master's in Leadership. He is the founder of EI Growth, where he offers coaching and counseling services aimed at helping individuals and organizations achieve holistic well-being and peak performance. Nimir's approach integrates emotional intelligence, strategic planning, and personalized guidance to support clients in navigating life's challenges.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:02:15 – Nimir's Background and Journey

00:10:30 – Defining Holistic Wellness

00:18:45 – Coaching vs. Therapy: Key Differences

00:27:00 – The "Three-Brain Tango" Explained

00:35:20 – Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

00:42:10 – Challenges in Canada's Mental Health System

00:50:00 – Strategies for Personal Growth

00:58:30 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

🔗 Connect with Nimir Raval

Website: nimirraval.com

Instagram: @nimir.raval

LinkedIn: Nimir Raval

Facebook: Nimir Raval – Certified Coach | EI Growth

X: @ravalnimir

In Episode 36 of The Conversationalist, we mark ONE YEAR of the show with a raw, no-filter deep talk between your hosts, Ryan and Rich. From how podcasting has changed us, to navigating conflict, personal growth, politics, and building something that actually matters—we reflect on where we've been and where we're headed.

If you’ve been riding with us since the beginning—or just finding us now—thank you for being part of this journey.

Let’s keep building 🛠️

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Email: [email protected]

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#TheConversationalist #PodcastAnniversary #SpareBedroomStudios #SoloSpotlight #PodcastLife #EdmontonPodcast #MentalHealthTalk #RealConversations #OneYearLater #GorillaDebate #NBAPlayoffs #NHLPlayoffs #CanadianPodcasts #PodcastingJourney