Football almost ended for Charles Auguste.

In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, the FC Supra du Québec midfielder opens up about the highs, setbacks, and turning points that shaped his journey — from Québec youth football and NCAA soccer to Houston, injuries, stepping away from the game, and finding unfinished business back home.

Charles shares the reality behind the professional pathway, including the difficult moments nobody sees: a year-long injury recovery, questioning football entirely, and rebuilding confidence after feeling disconnected from the game.

We also dive into:

⚽ Growing up in Québec football culture

⚽ The move to Creighton University and culture shock in the U.S.

⚽ Recovering from a major injury

⚽ Houston Dynamo and difficult career moments

⚽ Why FC Supra felt like unfinished business

⚽ Building a cinematic football content brand

⚽ Why storytelling matters to athletes today

This is a conversation about identity, setbacks, creativity, and finding your way back.

⏱️ Video Segments

Early football beginnings and family influence

Québec football development and coaching

Moving to the U.S. and college football journey

Major injury and one-year recovery

Houston and stepping away from football

Joining FC Supra and unfinished business

Creating football content and storytelling

The future of football and personal branding

12 Questions rapid fire

From the academy at Newcastle United F.C. to Premier League nights and now life in MLS, Matty Longstaff joins The 1st Half Culture Show for an honest conversation about the highs and realities of professional football.

Matty opens up about growing up in one of football’s most passionate cities, family influence, the pressure that comes with academy football, and his unforgettable debut goal against Manchester United F.C..

We also dive into:

⚽ Growing up in Newcastle football culture
⚽ Academy life and family support
⚽ The influence of his brother Sean Longstaff
⚽ Moving from England to North America
⚽ MLS vs European football culture
⚽ Recovering from ACL injuries
⚽ England, World Cup talk & football pressure
⚽ Why supporters are everything to clubs

Whether you're a Newcastle supporter, MLS fan, or simply love football stories, this episode dives into the mentality and journey behind the game.

Football doesn’t grow on the pitch alone — it grows through stories, voices, and community.

In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, Karim Mehdi shares his journey from athletic therapist to becoming a rising voice in football media, covering the game where it lives — at the grassroots and community level.

As host of On S’en Foot and commentator within Quebec’s football scene, Karim breaks down how media, storytelling, and digital platforms are helping shape the next era of the game in Canada.

We dive into:

• Building a football media platform from scratch
• The growth of Quebec’s football ecosystem
• The role of storytelling in growing the sport
• Behind the scenes of FC Supra du Québec
• Taking risks and creating your own path in football

This is a conversation about culture, community, and why football is more than just a game.

💬 “Football is more than a game… it’s a feeling.”

What does it really take to perform at the highest level — and stay there?

In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, Laurent Ciman, former MLS Defender of the Year and current assistant coach at FC Supra du Québec, shares a raw and honest look into the mentality behind professional football.

From competing in Europe’s top leagues and experiencing the Champions League and World Cup environments, to leading in Major League Soccer, Ciman breaks down the realities players don’t always talk about.

We dive into:

Why mentality separates good players from great ones

Handling pressure, criticism, and failure at the highest level

The role of discipline and team chemistry

Transitioning from player to coach

What defines a real football culture

This is a conversation about leadership, resilience, and understanding the game beyond the pitch.

Step inside the world of Roman-style pizza with Richie Ourichian, founder of Segreta in Montreal. From his early days as a cobbler to becoming a master pizzaiolo, Richie shares his incredible journey, passion, and philosophy behind authentic pizza al taglio.Discover how 72–96 hour fermentation, high-hydration dough, and precision baking create crispy, airy, and flavorful Roman pizza. Richie also breaks down the real differences between Neapolitan, New York, and Roman-style pizza—and why he believes Roman pizza is the best.This episode dives into food culture, entrepreneurship, discipline, and the mindset needed to build a successful culinary brand.🔥 If you love pizza, food stories, and business journeys—this is a must-watch!

n this exclusive interview, former CF Montréal captain Patrice Bernier and entrepreneur Alexandre Kénol dive deep into football, community impact, and the future of Canadian soccer.From World Cup excitement to building opportunities for youth through the Patrice Bernier Foundation, this conversation explores how sport goes beyond the pitch.⚽ Topics covered:Canada’s rising stars & World Cup expectationsBuilding a legacy after professional footballThe impact of community-driven initiativesThe story behind the Patrice Bernier FoundationEntrepreneurship, events, and youth empowerment🌍 With the World Cup approaching, Bernier shares insights on players like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David — and why Canadian soccer is entering a new era.🎟️ Support the cause, attend events, or donate to help empower the next generation.

Meet rising Canadian talent Chloe Minas, a defensive midfielder for the Montréal Roses, as she shares her incredible journey from Montreal to professional football in Sweden and back home.From her early days playing in Montreal to captaining at the University of Pittsburgh, Chloe built her path through hard work, resilience, and self-belief. She opens up about sending 100+ emails to coaches, creating her own highlight videos, and taking control of her career.Her professional journey took her to Sweden with Växjö DFF, where she experienced a completely different football culture before returning to Canada to join the Roses.Chloe also talks about:Recovering from a serious **ACL injuryThe difference between European and North American football cultureThe importance of fans and playing at home in MontrealHer mindset, discipline, and journey back strongerThis is more than football — it’s about resilience, growth, and chasing your dream.

Musician, sports fan, and community advocate PY Letellier joins the show to talk about the powerful connection between music, football, and community.Growing up in the small Québec town of La Tabatière, PY spent his childhood hunting, fishing, and playing hockey before eventually touring the world as the bass player for The Damn Truth.In this interview, he shares how sports shaped his life, why fans are essential to both music and football, and how community support helped him chase his dreams.PY also talks about supporting Goal Initiatives Foundation, his love for football clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City F.C., and seeing legends like David Silva play live.From small-town roots to global rock tours, this conversation is about passion, perseverance, and giving back to the community that supported you.“You're better off failing at what you love than succeeding at anything else.”

Montreal football culture runs deep — from Italian family Sundays to the ultras of Europe.In this powerful interview, Anthony Corneli, assistant coach at FC Supérieur, joins TSN 690 to share his incredible football journey. From growing up in Montreal’s Italian community to coaching in Trinidad’s military club system, this is a story about passion, resilience, and building football culture the right way.Anthony opens up about:- Starting coaching at just 16 years old- Working in Trinidad with Defense Force FC in the Trinidad Premier League- The importance of ultras and supporter culture in Europe- Growing up supporting Juventus FC- Experiencing Lazio vs Roma & Derby d’Italia live- Why local identity matters for FC Supérieur - Building a winning football environment in QuebecFrom Montreal to the Caribbean, from Serie A passion to Canadian Premier League ambition — this is football culture at its core.⏱️ Video Segments (Chapters)0:00 – Italian Roots & Montreal Football CultureFamily influence and falling in love with the game.2:45 – Choosing Coaching Over PlayingStarting at 16 and never giving up.5:30 – The Grind: Restaurant Life to Full-Time Football9:58 – Coaching in Trinidad 🇹🇹Working with a military-backed club in the Trinidad Premier League.15:47 – Juventus, Ultras & European Fan CultureWhy supporters are everything in football.18:34 – Derby Experiences in ItalyLazio vs Roma & Juventus vs Inter stories.22:24 – The Vision for FC SupérieurBuilding a 100% local Quebec football identity.23:29 – Rapid Fire QuestionsFavorite film, athlete, club & more.#FCSuperieur #MontrealSoccer #CanadianSoccer #SoccerCulture #Juventus #SerieA #ultrasound #footballpassion #cpl #CoachingJourney

Canadian soccer is entering a defining era — on the field and behind the scenes.

In this episode of The 1st Half Culture Show, Laura Armstrong, Vice President of Communications & Business Integration at Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment, joins us in studio to break down the rebranding of CSME, the evolution of the Canadian soccer ecosystem, and what this moment means with the World Cup on home soil.

A former Toronto Star journalist who covered major milestones including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Canada’s men’s qualification for 2022, Laura shares her journey from newsroom to executive leadership — and why storytelling, media rights, and strategic alignment are essential to growing the game nationally.

We dive into:

• The CSME rebrand and realignment with Canada Soccer

• Building a “soccer content ecosystem” in Canada

• Bundesliga & WSL media rights strategy

• The growth of women’s football and 95,000 at Wembley

• Why CPL moments matter culturally

• Journalism lessons that shaped her leadership

• Why football is more than sport — it’s family

If you care about where Canadian soccer is headed — this episode is essential listening.