Dontoverthinkitchip  - The RIFF S2 ep2

He quit a 6-figure insurance job with only $500/month coming in — and went $75K into debt chasing a dream. Three years later, he's landing brand deals with PlayStation, Nissan, the Toronto Blue Jays, and Chipotle, with 16 million views from nearly 6 million accounts. This is the story of @dontoverthinkitchip.

In this episode of The Riff, Gary and Jeremy sit down with Toronto-based content creator Chip — the force behind one of Canada's fastest-rising social media channels. What started as a sports betting page in December 2023 has evolved into a full-time viral content machine built on relatable comedy skits, Toronto food culture, and one unbreakable rule: post every single day.

In this episode:

• Why Chip walked away from a six-figure career with almost nothing in the bank
• The real daily grind behind viral content (hint: it starts at 5:30 AM)
• How he sent 20 DMs a day to restaurants and turned $250 gigs into major brand contracts
• Why your biggest supporters will never be the people you grew up with
• The moment in Saskatchewan at minus 40 that almost broke him — and what kept him going
• How brands are now paying creators NOT to talk about their product
• Why going viral overnight is actually less valuable than the slow grind
• The Kevin James obsession that shaped his entire comedic style
• What consistency + originality actually looks like in practice
• Why 99% of creators quit — and the one mindset shift that separates those who make it

Plus: The guys taste pulled pork brisket mac & cheese from Smoke'N Bones on Baldwin Street — and Chip makes a case for why Baldwin Street is the most underrated food strip in Toronto.

Whether you're a content creator, an entrepreneur, or just someone who's been sitting on a dream they haven't acted on yet — this one's for you.

🎙️ The Riff — where creativity winds its way through food, music, art, and everything in between. Hosted by Gary & Jeremy, brought to you from the heart of Toronto.

📍 Food feature sponsored by mytoronto.ca — your guide to exploring Toronto like a local.

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Follow Chip: Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @dontoverthinkitchip

Follow The Riff: [Your social links here]

Explore Toronto: mytoronto.ca

--- #ContentCreator #Toronto #TheRiff #DontOverthinkItChip #TorontoFood #SocialMedia #CreatorEconomy #Entrepreneurship #SmokNBones #BaldwinStreet

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Andrew Stasiw - The RIFF S2 ep1

Toronto's underground EDM scene has a new king — and he built it from a laptop during lockdown.

Andrew Stasiw of King and Queen Events joins Gary and Jeremy on The Riff to pull back the curtain on how he went from bedroom producer to booking global heavyweights like Danny Avila, Maddox, and Sam Pacho at iconic venues like Coda — all as an independent operator competing against the monopolies.

In this episode:
🎧 How to break into the EDM scene (basement to mainstage)
📈 The networking moves that actually work (cold emails are dead)
🌍 What it's REALLY like hosting international DJs in Toronto
🎶 Why reading the room separates good DJs from GREAT ones
💼 Balancing friendship and business in the music industry
🔥 Why Toronto's electronic scene is exploding RIGHT NOW

Plus — we taste Rasta Pasta from Waterworks Food Hall. Jamaican-Italian fusion. Trust us on this one.

Whether you're an aspiring DJ, a music lover, or an entrepreneur figuring out how to grind your way to the top — this episode hits different.

Subscribe & hit the bell so you never miss a new episode of The Riff, where we chase the creative thread connecting music, food, arts, and culture.

🔗 King and Queen Events: kingqueenevents.com | @kingqueenevents

☕ Coffee by Found Coffee — Front Street, Toronto
🍝 Food by Rasta Pasta — Waterworks Food Hall, King West
🌐 Explore Toronto like a local: mytoronto.ca

#TheRiff #TorontoEDM #KingQueenEvents #DJLife #TorontoNightlife #EDMToronto #Podcast #MusicBusiness #HouseMusic #Techno #AndrewStasiw #Coda #TorontoEvents

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EMM - The Riff ep 12

She climbed into a coffin full of biting worms — and kept singing. 🎵🐛

In this episode of The Riff, Gary and Jeremy sit down with EMM — a classically trained, award-winning artist from Traverse City, Michigan who grew up surrounded by musical prodigies, moved to New York before high school, and built an independent music empire with 200 million streams entirely on her own terms.

Now signed with Sony/The Orchard (while keeping full ownership of her masters), EMM is on The Dumb Tour promoting her album Black Diamond — and she stopped into The Riff studio fresh off a sold-out Toronto show at the Drake Underground.

In this episode: 🎤 The coffin shoot — wrong worms, biting legs, 2 hours in bugs (and she was singing live) 🎹 Growing up at Interlochen, home of child prodigies practicing 12 hours a day 💡 Why "irrational confidence" is her secret weapon 💰 How brand deals funded her music before the music funded itself 🎧 The truth about publishing rights, predatory label contracts, and keeping your leverage 🌀 Manifestation, flow states, and "transcendence" on stage 📵 Dopamine detoxes and why boredom is rocket fuel for creativity 🍪 Gluten-free treats from Bunner's Bakery in Kensington Market (and yes, they're incredible)

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or just someone chasing something big — this one's for you.

Follow EMM: @emminreallife (all socials) | Link in bio

Explore Toronto like a local: mytoronto.ca

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Kevin Comeau - The RIFF ep 11

What happens when a kid hears Rush for the first time and his entire life changes? We found out.

Kevin Comeau of Juno Award-winning prog duo Crown Lands sits down with The Riff to talk about the moment A Farewell to Kings rewired his brain at 14, hitchhiking across Canada and down the California coast after reading Jack Kerouac, accidentally joining a reggae band in a Hollywood guitar shop, and how a Rush notation book stuffed into a backpack became the foundation of his guitar playing.

We also get into the real story behind the Crown Lands name, the identity crisis that almost ended the band, getting discovered by Eric Singer of Kiss through a YouTube live video, and why their new album Apocalypse — out NOW — is the record they've always wanted to make.

Plus: space operas, dragon riders, prog nerd deep dives on Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Jan Hammer, and Joni Mitchell. Oh, and incredible food from Queen's Harbour on the Toronto waterfront.

🎸 Crown Lands – Apocalypse is out now | crownlandsmusic.com

🎙️ Sponsored by mytoronto.ca | Featuring coffee from Coffee Island (York St.)

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Afrim Pristine - RIFF S1 ep10

🎙️ What does it take to become one of the most respected names in the food world?

In this episode of The RIFF, we sit down with Afrim Pristine, internationally recognized cheese master, entrepreneur, television personality, and one of Canada's leading voices in food culture.

From building a world-class business to appearing on major television shows, Afrim shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset that helped shape his remarkable journey. We dive into the art and science of taste, the importance of passion and persistence, and what separates true craftsmanship from the ordinary.

Whether you're a foodie, entrepreneur, aspiring creator, or simply someone who enjoys hearing incredible success stories, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and plenty of surprising moments.

🔥 In this episode:
✔️ The journey to becoming a world-renowned cheese master
✔️ Behind-the-scenes stories from the food industry
✔️ Building a successful brand through passion and expertise
✔️ Lessons in entrepreneurship, creativity, and leadership
✔️ Why taste is about more than just food

Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with fascinating people who are changing their industries and inspiring others to do the same.

#AfrimPristine #TheRIFF #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #FoodCulture #SuccessStories #CheeseMaster #Business #Leadership #Foodie #Inspiration #TorontoPodcast #Interview #CanadianBusiness #FoodIndustry

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Pete Bowman - The RIFF -S1 ep.9

Pete Bowman — Canadian fishing legend, TV host of Fishin' Canada (3.5M viewers), and Hall of Famer — sits down with The Riff for one of the most entertaining fishing conversations you'll ever hear.

From stunning a fish with a boat oar to get his lure back, to revealing how a laid-off electrician accidentally became one of Canada's most beloved TV personalities, Pete holds nothing back.

In this episode:

• 🎣 How Pete went from electrician to fishing icon
• 🏆 Being inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame (and why it shocked him)
• 🐟 Big pike, bass & monster fish hiding RIGHT in Toronto Harbour
• 💰 The insane prize money in North American fishing tournaments (up to $1.25M!)
• 🌊 The WILDEST fish story you've ever heard — an oar, a pike, and a turtle
• ♻️ Why hunters and anglers are actually conservation's greatest allies
• 🎿 Winter Olympics chaos, Ray Gun on skis, and skeleton vs. luge debates

Follow Pete Bowman: 📺 Fishing Canada — Saturdays 8AM on Global TV 📸 Instagram: @petebowman_fishing 📘 Facebook & YouTube: Fishing Canada / @fishingcanadaofficial

Fishing in Toronto? Pete recommends: 🎣 Fish City Tours — Taro Murata 🎣 Cast Adventures — Paul Castellano, Niagara River

The Riff is a Toronto-based podcast where we sit down with fascinating people over great food and real conversation.

Subscribe for new episodes every week ⬇️

#FishingCanada #PeteBowman #ThRiff #FishingPodcast #Toronto #FishingCanadaShow #CanadianFishing #BassFishing #ConservationFishing #TorontoHarbour

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Maddy Goldberg - The RIFF S1 ep8

What happens when a Michelin-trained chef shows up to a food bank with no set menu and two hours to feed 100 people? Pure magic.

This week on The Riff, hosts Gary O'Brien and Jeremy sit down with Toronto's most fascinating chef — Maddy Goldberg. With 160K+ Instagram followers, viral food content, and a background in social work, Maddy is redefining what it means to be a chef in 2026.

We get into:
🍽️ How she went from a 12-oz prime rib at age 6 to cooking at Michelin-recommended Aloette
🥄 What really goes on in a high-end restaurant kitchen (it's intense)
❤️ Why she gives 10% of every private dinner to charity
🥡 The shocking truth about food waste in the restaurant industry
😂 The story of a man who ate a full stick of butter at her dinner table (yes, really)

Plus — Jeremy eats a birthday candle. Enough said.

Whether you're a foodie, a creative, or someone who just wants to feel inspired — this episode delivers.

Follow Maddy:
📸 Instagram: @maddygoldberg
📰 Substack: cookeat.substack.com
🎵 TikTok: @MaddyGoldberg1

---
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Tim Gallagher - The RIFF - S1 ep7

What if your favorite song could pay you every month — forever?

Most people have no idea that music royalties exist as an investable asset class. In this episode of The Riff, hosts Gary O'Brien and Jeremy Green sit down with Tim Gallagher — founder of Music Royalties Inc. and former Chairman & CEO of Metalla Royalty — to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked investment opportunities on the planet.

Tim breaks down how he built a portfolio of 7,000 songs (including pieces of Rolling Stones, Dire Straits, Eminem, and Avicii) that has already paid out over $14 million in monthly dividends — and why he believes music royalties beat stocks, real estate, and even Bitcoin.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why a single hit song can generate $1M+ per year in streaming income — indefinitely
• How copyright law gives you a 150-year monopoly on the internet
• The secret $500M/year payment system hiding in Canada that almost nobody knows about
• How platforms like Spotify are driving billions in new royalty cashflow
• How YOU can invest in music royalties — even as a regular person
• Why legends like the Rolling Stones, The Who, and Eminem are part of this portfolio

Whether you're a music lover, an investor, or an artist wondering how to secure your financial future — this episode will change how you think about music forever.

🎵 Find Music Royalties Inc. on Spotify 🌐 Visit mytoronto.ca for more Toronto culture, food & entertainment

Also on this episode: We taste incredible sandwiches from Elfie's Sandwiches on Baldwin Street and rare bean-to-bar chocolate from ChocoSol on St. Clair West. Toronto's food scene never disappoints.

#MusicRoyalties #PassiveIncome #InvestingTips #MusicBusiness #TheMusicIndustry #Spotify #RoyaltyInvesting #FinancialFreedom #MusicInvesting #TimGallagher #MusicRoyaltiesInc #TorontoPodcast #TheRiff #Entrepreneurship #AlternativeInvestments #StreamingMusic #SongwritingBusiness #WealthBuilding #MusicMoney #TorontoEntertainment

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Donna Garner - The RIFF - S1 ep6

🎭🎵 She learned accordion in 8 days and booked a Broadway national tour. No big deal.

In this episode of The Riff, hosts Gary O'Brien and Jeremy Green sit down with the extraordinary Donna Garner — actor, singer, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, voice coach, music director, AND founder of Garner Theatre Productions. Oh, and she's the youngest of 13 kids raised on a dairy farm near Stratford, Ontario. Yeah, she's kind of a force of nature.

We dig into: 🎬 How Donna's family staged a full production of The Sound of Music to raise money for Ronald McDonald House 🪗 The wild story of renting an accordion with only 8 days to learn it before a major Broadway audition 🎭 What it really means to be an actor-musician — acting, singing, AND playing an instrument on stage at the same time 🇨🇦 Why Canadian artists need to stop apologizing for their talent 🎓 The honest truth about building a career in the performing arts 🎸 Instruments in Hands — the incredible charitable program giving instruments and free lessons to those who can't afford them 🌮 Plus, we sample some of Toronto's best tacos from Seven Lives in Kensington Market!

Whether you're a theater lover, a musician, an aspiring performer, or just someone who appreciates people who do extraordinary things — this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Riff — Toronto's home for deep conversations with the city's most creative minds.

👉 Learn more about Donna and Garner Theatre Productions: garnertheatreproductions.com 🌐 Visit us at: mytoronto.ca

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Darin Bristow - The RIFF -S1 ep.5 

What do SpongeBob SquarePants, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, and Kim Mitchell all have in common? Darin Bristow. In this episode of The Riff, Gary O'Brien and Jeremy Green sit down with one of Canada's most versatile creative minds — an animation producer, director, educator, and musician with over 30 years of experience bridging the worlds of art, music, and storytelling.

Darin has produced content for Nelvana, Netflix, PBS Kids, and Nickelodeon, including Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie. He's directed music videos for Kim Mitchell, Big Sugar, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar. He holds a Master's degree in design psychology from Sheridan College and teaches at five leading Canadian animation programs. And somewhere in between all of that, he handed Eddie Van Halen a caricature at Sam the Record Man — and Eddie put him in a headlock.

In this conversation, Darin breaks down what it actually takes to build a creative career: the power of finding your unique angle, how caricature became his backstage pass, the overlap between visual art and music, what design psychology means for kids' animation, and how he launched an unofficial Sammy Hagar podcast that now reaches listeners in over 50 countries.

Plus — the guys sample Porchetta & Co.'s famous house special sandwich from Toronto's PATH, pour a New Zealand pinot noir, and crack open a bottle of Sammy Hagar's Santo tequila. Toronto creativity, food culture, and rock & roll — all at the same table.

If you love music, animation, Toronto culture, or just great storytelling from people who've actually lived it — hit Like, leave a comment, Subscribe, and share this one with someone who needs a creative kick in the pants.

#TheRiff #DarinBristow #SammyHagar #KimMitchell #EddieVanHalen #Animation #TorontoCreatives #SpongeBob #DesignPsychology #PodcastToronto

Resources Mentioned
The Riff Podcast (host site): mytoronto.ca
Porchetta & Co. (Toronto): porchettaandco.com
Nelvana: nelvana.com
Netflix – Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie: netflix.com
Nickelodeon: nickelodeon.com
Sheridan College: sheridancollege.ca
Kim Mitchell (official): kimmitchell.com
Big Sugar: bigsugarlive.com
Sammy Hagar (official): sammyhagar.com
Santo Tequila (Sammy Hagar & Guy Fieri): santospirits.com
Cabo Wabo Tequila: cabowabo.com
The Bogus Oder Show (Sammy Hagar podcast): Search "Bogus Oder Show" on Facebook / Instagram: @bogusodershw
Darin Bristow – LinkedIn: Search "Darin Bristow" on LinkedIn
Sound of Music Festival (Burlington): soundofmusic.ca
LCBO Queen's Quay (large vintage selection): lcbo.com
Chickenfoot (band): chickenfoot.us
YouTube Chapters
Note: Timestamps are approximate based on transcript flow.

Timestamp Chapter Title
0:00 Welcome to The Riff – Episode 5
0:45 Toronto Jays World Series Buzz
3:00 Gary's Portugal Trip & The Bristol Board Sheets
8:00 Introducing Darin Bristow – SpongeBob, Sammy Hagar & More
10:30 What Is Design Psychology for Kids' Animation?
16:00 Growing Up in London, Ontario – Comics, Star Wars & Drawing
20:00 How Iron Maiden & Van Halen Hooked Him on Music
25:00 The Porchetta & Co. Break – Food & Wine Interlude
29:00 Caricature as a Backstage Pass – Meeting Eddie Van Halen
36:00 Eddie Van Halen Wore His Shirt (Decades Later!)
39:00 Working With Kim Mitchell – Canada's Eddie Van Halen
45:00 The Sammy Hagar Connection – Animated Video to Cabo
52:00 Launching The Bogus Oder Show Podcast
57:00 Guitar Collecting – Kramer, Peavey Wolfgang & EVH Vault Series
1:04:00 Tone Comes From Your Fingers, Not Your Gear
1:08:00 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Darin

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