Cabbie Richards (Host of Bleacher Report's Gameday Gameshow, BR Betting Show and Toronto Raptors fanboy) returns to The Big O Podcast to talk about the rollercoaster that is the NBA playoffs. We discuss whether Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a good fit for the Toronto Raptors in 2021. We get into Bleacher Reports response as a company to the police shootings in the US and how they approached engaging their employees. We discuss how the boycott of NBA playoff games by the NBA players led to NBA owners converting their home arenas to voting sites for the 2020 general election. Cabbie also shares the $1700 "L" he had to eat before celebrating his 40th birthday.

@therealcabbie

@thebigopodcast

The Big O Podcast - Youtube

Jay Holness (Founder of Hoops Canada and 2020 CEBL Champion) joins me to talk about the importance of growing and building community with our kids and youth. We get into how Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman used their platforms to help elevate black culture and showcase black excellence. We discuss how sports psychology has gone from an unspeakable topic to an essential tool in professional sports. We also get into why this global pandemic is the ultimate glass half empty/full scenario.

Eren Legend (7x Internationally published cover model, Canada's first ever physique world champion, Canada's first ever physique olympian and founder of the Legend Nation) joins me to talk about what it was like competing as a natural athlete in a sport filled with enhanced participants. We discuss why Eren identifies with the Rock and why he is the person he aspires to be like the most. We get into his inspiration for giving back to the community amid COVID-19 with his "FitInThe6ix" events. We also talk about how he continues to cope and move forward with his ongoing battle with depression.

@thebigopodcast

@erenlegendifbbpro

@legend.fit

@legend.nation

Julio Ramirez (Toronto Blue Jays Assistant International Scout & Ryerson Rams Alum) joins me to talk about the influence his Venezuelan parents had on his exposure and love for baseball. We also discuss how a Ryerson University professor helped guide him into a meeting with some Blue Jays executives during a surprise visit to their class. We get into what life is like for an international major league scout and some of the tools they use to grade young prospects. We also talk about some of the prospects to watch out for in the Blue Jays organization over the next few years.

Felicia "FeeNom" Spencer (Former Invicta FC Featherweight Champion and current top contender in the UFC) joins me to talk about the overwhelming support she has received from her Canadian fans throughout her career amateur and professional MMA career. We go over how winning the "Tuff-N-Uff Future Stars of MMA" tournament ultimately led to her signing her first professional deal with Invicta FC in 2015. We also talk about her timeline for returning to the Octagon and her willingness to travel to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi to make it happen. We also discuss the the tough scheduling she's received from the women's UFC Featherweight division thanks to Mick Maynard (UFC Matchmaker) where she's faced the two greatest female MMA fighters of all-time, Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes, in her two of her last three bouts.

Stefan Stepien and Stephanie Toufexis of the Harvey Kalles Real Estate Brokerage join me to talk about the current state of the real estate market in the midst of COVID-19. We talk about some of the incentives for first time homebuyers, some mistakes people make before closing on their purchase, current mortgage rates in Canada and how they've been able to utilize social media to really push their listings to a new audience.

Jon Anik (UFC play-by-player commentator) joins me to talk about all of the preparations and protocols set by the UFC as he gets ready to travel to Fight Island (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi). We breakdown some of the events from UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Hooker including the main event, the post-fight interview with Platinum Mike Perry and what's next for Dustin Poirier. We also dive into the tattoo Jon had to get after Nate Diaz defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 196 and how it landed him in some hot water with his boss. After all of the success that the UFC has had since COVID-19 shut the sports world down, we look at the job that Dana has done when getting the UFC back up and running and really setting the groundwork for all of the other major sports. 

Tyler Hilton (Indie Rock singer and actor) joins me to talk about his first father's day and all of the books he read as he prepped for the arrival of his daughter Winnie. We discuss what it was like playing the role of Chris Keller on One Tree Hill and how the experience helped grow his music fan base as well as develop strong bonds with his fellow cast members. We dive into his connection with Taylor Swift and how a duet at a bar leads to him spending time at the Swift household during his time in Nashville. We also get into my reasoning for wanting to have Tyler on the podcast and how his music helped me through a tough time in my life.

Donnovan Bennett (co-host of Sports on Pause and Free Association podcasts) of Sportsnet joins me to talk about some of the recent events in the United States and how addressing it has him feeling like he's been on a book tour for a book he didn't write. We discuss the comments that Drew Brees made regarding players kneeling during the national anthem and how he hasn't changed since first commenting on it back in 2016. Donnovan compares the core staff from The Score to an iconic Canadian baseball team from Montreal. Plus in a surprise announcement, Donnovan expresses his willingness to allow Sid Seixeiro an opportunity for a rematch in the world's greatest singing competition.

Mocha Frap (co-host of the Roz & Mocha morning show on Kiss 92.5) joins me to talk about what life is like with a toddler during COVID-19. We also talk about him wanting to keep the epic music line up at his wedding a surprise for the guests. We discuss the overwhelming reception and success of the Roz & Mocha podcast and how his love for sleeping-in and staying up late almost prevented the Roz & Mocha show that we know and love from ever happening.