The Pal‘s Podcast

This month on Pal's Podcast, Ricky and Dani are back for another catch-up episode, and this one comes with some big news.

We officially announce that The Pal's Podcast has joined Narcity Shows, a partnership that we hope will help take the show to the next level through expanded distribution, bigger opportunities, and even more great conversations.

We also dive into life lately, including Dani's CPA exam prep, Ricky's thoughts on Toronto's traffic and infrastructure challenges, whether the city is actually ready for the World Cup, and a conversation about dating standards, ambition, and finding someone who aligns with your lifestyle.

Plus, we share some of our dream podcast guests, what we're looking forward to this summer, and where we hope to take the podcast next.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram

Presented by Narcity Canada.

Listen now! 🎧

🎙️ This week, Ricky and Dani sit down with Elan Bibas to talk about leaving behind a successful career in engineering and AI consulting to pursue content creation, endurance racing, and a life built around pushing limits.

From selling his first startup to quitting corporate life, Elan shares what led him to bet on himself and fully commit to building his own path. We talk about marathons, ultra-marathons, mental health, social media, and why growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

Elan also opens up about his experience on reality TV, building meaningful connections online, and his future vision of combining AI and wellness through mental fitness.

Along the way, we discuss discipline, identity, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram @thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Follow Elan: Instagram: @elan.bibas TikTok: @embibas

Listen now! 🎧

🎙️ Episode 353.

This week, Ricky and Dani sit down with former NHL player Cody Hodgson for one of the most unbelievable comeback stories we’ve heard on the podcast. Cody reflects on growing up playing elite hockey in Toronto, making it to the NHL, representing Team Canada at the World Juniors, and spending six seasons in the league with teams like the Nashville Predators. But at just 26 years old, everything changed when severe health complications forced him into early retirement. Doctors warned him that continuing to play could cost him his life.

We talk about the emotional toll of losing the only identity he had ever known, how he spent years searching for answers, and the unconventional methods that helped him regain control of his health. Cody also shares the story behind his improbable return to professional hockey nearly a decade later, cold-calling teams for another opportunity, earning a PTO at 34 years old, and proving to himself that he could still compete at a high level.

Beyond hockey, Cody opens up about transitioning into business, investing in real estate and private equity, and eventually becoming the owner of a professional pickleball team, the York Yeti. We also dive into the explosive growth of pickleball, why the sport has become such a powerful networking space, and what he sees for its future in Canada. This episode is about identity, resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose after life forces you to change direction.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram @thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Cody Hodgson: @cody_hodgson

Listen now! 🎧

🎙️ New Episode Alert!

This week, Ricky and Dani sit down with professional pickleball player Max Wild, the first American ever drafted into the CNPL, to talk about his journey from elite tennis at UCLA to the rapidly growing world of pro pickleball.

They dive into how Max first discovered the sport while finishing his MBA, the moment he got completely humbled by an older player with a knee brace named Doug, and how pickleball has completely changed the direction of his life.

Plus, Max shares some of his life outside the court, including film photography, Charleston living, and his long-term goals beyond sports. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that the people helping grow the game of pickleball are far more layered, driven, and interesting than most people expect.

Follow Max Wild: https://www.instagram.com/maxwild__/ https://www.instagram.com/crewpickleballclub/

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram @thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Listen now! 🎧

🎙️ This week, we sit down with Tyler McGregor (@tylermcgregor8) captain of Team Canada’s Para ice hockey team, fresh off the Paralympic Games. Tyler shares what the experience in Italy was really like, from the electric atmosphere and having over 200 friends and family in the stands, to the tough reality of coming home with silver.

We talk about how the team processed the loss, why there’s still so much pride in what they accomplished, and how their focus is already set on chasing gold in 2030. Beyond the rink, this conversation dives into Tyler’s mindset, why he believes in consistency over constantly reinventing yourself, the importance of staying authentic, and how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

We also get into life off the ice, from building out his dream wellness setup to the excitement of his upcoming wedding. Tyler shares the story behind his recent Air Canada commercial, an emotional and deeply personal project that meant a lot to him and his family. A powerful conversation about resilience, perspective, and what it really takes to keep showing up.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram @thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Listen now! 🎧

🎙️ Episode 350. What a milestone.

This week, Ricky and Dani sit down for a special episode to reflect on reaching 350 episodes of The Pal’s Podcast and everything the journey has brought with it. From how the show started to how it’s evolved, we look back on the moments, guests, and lessons that have shaped the podcast along the way.

We talk about memorable episodes, behind-the-scenes stories, how our approach to conversations has changed, and what we still want to improve. We also share some of our dream guests, what we hope the next chapter of the podcast looks like, and why building genuine connections has always mattered more to us than chasing views.

Most importantly, this episode is a thank you to everyone who has listened, supported, shared an episode, or been part of the journey in any way. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Here’s to 350… and what comes next.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram @thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Listen now! 🎧

Follow NOTTORIA: https://www.instagram.com/nottoriamusic/

🎙️ New Episode Alert!

This week we’re joined by Emma Maltais, Team Canada Olympic medalist and Toronto Sceptres forward, for a fun and insightful conversation about life at the highest level of hockey.

We dive into her Olympic experiences from Beijing to Milan, the growth of women’s hockey through the PWHL, and what it’s like competing on some of the biggest stages in the world. Emma shares stories from the Olympic village, her time at Ohio State, and how the game and rivalries have evolved over the years.

We also get into her personality off the ice, her need to stay “buzzing,” and what she might want to explore once her hockey career is over.

It’s a mix of elite sport, behind-the-scenes stories, and real personality — a great look into the life of one of Canada’s top athletes.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram

Listen now! 🎧

With the podcast approaching 350 episodes, we talk about what’s next. We also get into a bigger conversation about building a creative space, what it could look like, and whether it actually makes sense right now.

We break down how to level up the podcast through consistency, better production, and more intentional guest outreach. And somewhere along the way, we get into Botox, skincare, and why taking care of yourself matters more than most guys think.

This week we sit down with VYTØ for a conversation that goes deep into the journey from finance bro to full-time DJ. We dive into how a pandemic boredom sparked a major career pivot, the mindset shift required to treat music as a business, and why approaching DJing like an entrepreneurial venture has shaped his path.

We talk about building credibility in Toronto’s nightlife, the “boot camp” training that taught him how to control a room, and why being an opening DJ is an art in itself. He shares lessons from mentorship, networking, and a U.S. tour that tested his patience, his organization, and his resilience.

The conversation also gets real about community-building, launching his “Out of Office” popup series, and what it takes to create a more energetic, inclusive nightlife scene. We also explore his long-term plans for original music production and full-time touring by 2027.

It’s honest, thoughtful, and one of those conversations that feels like catching up with someone who’s hustling to turn their passion into a sustainable life.

Follow VYTØ: https://www.instagram.com/vyto.music/