The Pal‘s Podcast

The Winter Blues, 2026 Goals, and Winter Olympics Lore

This week on the Pal’s Podcast, Dani and Ricky catch up on life, goals, and what this season has really looked like.

The Pals also talk about surviving winter in Toronto, their travel strategies to beat the winter blues, and their thoughts on the Winter Olympics, including figure skating, the drama surrounding the Games, and the heartbreak of Canada’s hockey losses.

A real catch-up episode and a look at what comes next for the podcast.

Kyle Cooke: The Reality TV Entrepreneur Playbook

This week on Pal’s Podcast, Dani Galarneau and Ricky Liorti sit down with Kyle Cooke, original cast member of Summer House, CEO of Loverboy, and DJ.

Kyle opens up about taking the risk on reality TV, surviving multiple failed startups, and building Loverboy into a wildly successful brand.

From blackout hot tub debuts to navigating alcohol distribution and entrepreneurship lessons, this episode dives into betting on yourself, trusting the process, and turning chaos into opportunity.

Season 10 of Summer House is out now, and Kyle talks about it!

 

Follow Kyle:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imkylecooke/
Loverboy: https://www.instagram.com/drinkloverboy/

Obi Nnadi: Too Hot to Handle, Concussions, & Mental Health

In this episode of the Pal’s Podcast, Dani Galarneau and Ricky Liorti sit down with Obi, reality TV star from Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle, fitness coach, and former football athlete.

Most people know Obi from Too Hot to Handle, but this conversation goes beyond reality TV. Obi shares his story of being born in Nigeria, growing up in Winnipeg, and chasing his dream of playing in the CFL. After suffering eight concussions, he was forced to walk away from football and completely reinvent his life.

We talk about identity loss, athlete grief, mental health, career pivots, and what life is really like after Netflix fame. Obi opens up about the financial pressure of being a public figure, the challenges of social media influence, and rebuilding confidence after losing the sport that defined him.

If you are interested in reality TV, Too Hot to Handle, athlete mental health, life after football, personal growth, or reinventing yourself after a setback, this episode is for you.

This is the side of Obi you did not see on TV.

Moving Back Home at 35, Tulum Taxi Nightmares & Australia Run Club Culture

🎙️ New Episode Alert!

This week it’s just Ricky and Dani back in the studio for one of our most fun and unfiltered catch-up episodes yet.

We kick things off with Dani deep in exam season and what the next few months of studying look like as she gears up for the final stretch. Ricky, on the other hand, is in a completely different kind of chaos… because he just bought a condo in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district.

We talk about the new two-story loft, the full renovation plans (New York bachelor pad vibes), steam showers, hammocks in the loft, and the very real stress of mortgage approval when you’re self-employed.

From there, we dive into holiday travel recaps:

Dani’s Tulum trip with her cousins, including beach club highs and the absolute nightmare of New Year’s Eve taxis
Ricky’s Australia adventure, why it might be his new favourite country, run club culture in Sydney, and what makes the lifestyle so different from North America

It’s a classic Pal’s episode full of laughs, hot takes, life updates, and stories that feel like you’re catching up with friends.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Listen now! 🎧

Marlon & Duke: Inside Toronto’s Podcast Culture with Extra Gravy

In this episode of The Pal’s Podcast, Ricky Liorti sits down with Marlon and Duke from the Extra Gravy podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about podcasting, creativity, comedy, and building something that lasts.

Dani is off handling exams, so Ricky takes the lead as they dive deep into what it really means to be consistent in podcasting. Marlon shares how discovering podcasts nearly a decade ago inspired him to start Extra Gravy back in 2017, long before Toronto had a real podcast scene. Duke opens up about his own podcast journey, how he balances multiple shows, and what changes once you step behind the mic yourself.

The conversation covers everything from favorite podcast routines and unforgettable episodes to wild stories involving mentalists, hypnotists, and moments that made everyone cry laughing. They also talk candidly about why conversational podcasts work better than rigid interviews, how over-preparing can actually kill great conversations, and why chemistry and excitement matter more than clout.

They don’t shy away from the business side either. From the challenges of monetizing podcasts to why brands are often hesitant to sponsor long-form conversations, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities creators face today.

This is an honest, funny, behind-the-scenes look at podcasting culture, Toronto creativity, and why the best shows feel like you’re hanging out with friends.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
📺 Watch more episodes right here on YouTube

Michael Chao: Building Pickleball in Canada & Owning a Pro Pickleball Team

Follow Michael Chao:
https://www.instagram.com/mchao95/

https://www.instagram.com/apacircuit/

https://www.instagram.com/northernlightspickleball/

https://www.instagram.com/grandviewpickleballclub/

 

This week on the Pal’s Podcast, Ricky sits down with Michael Chao, CEO and Founder of the newly rebranded APA Canadian Circuit, General Manager of the Northern Lights in the Canadian National Pickleball League, and part owner of Grandview Pickleball Club in Newmarket.

The two dive deep into all things pickleball. Michael shares his path into the sport, how the APA originally started, and what the rebrand means for the future of competitive pickleball in Canada. Ricky and Michael also get into some friendly league banter, especially with both of them owning teams in the CNPL, breaking down the past season and what’s coming next.

They also talk about the upcoming CNPL draft combine, what teams are looking for, and how the Toronto United tournament hosted by APA fits into the bigger picture of growing the game.

If you’re into pickleball, whether as a player, fan, or someone curious about the business side of the sport, this episode is for you.

Ariana Joy & Renee Reina: Reality TV, Real Moms, Real Chaos

What happens when two reality-TV obsessed best friends (and full-on parents) try to keep up with drama, diapers, and deadlines at the same time? Join us with Ariana & Renee from Friend Of as we chat Vanderpump Rules, Summerhouse, dream crossovers, parenting vs podcasts (seriously, WHERE’S THE TIME?) and the reality-star moments that still make us gasp.

Follow Ariana & Renee

https://www.instagram.com/friendofpodcast/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/thereneereina/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/arianajoychristie/?hl=en

 

Emily the Recruiter on Being Memorable, AI Trends & Building a Creative Career

Emily Durham — aka Emily the Recruiter — is BACK on Pal’s Podcast! One of our early guests (way before Episode 100), she returns for Episode 336 with even more insights, stories, and real talk about careers, creativity, and the future of work.

Follow Emily:
https://www.instagram.com/emily.the.recruiter/
https://www.instagram.com/clockinwithemily/

In this episode, we get into:

- The behind-the-scenes of her podcast Clock In With Emily and navigating office politics

- What brings her the most joy right now — from podcasting to live events

- Job trends, AI, and what she's seeing change across the industry

- The #1 question she gets asked: “How do I stand out in my career?”

- Networking tips that actually make you memorable

- Her thoughts on the future of work

It’s a fun, honest, and super practical conversation whether you're job hunting, building a creative career, or just here for the vibes.

Brennan Clost: From the Juilliard Dance Studio to Big TV Sets

This week, we sit down with the incredibly talented actor and dancer, Brennan Clost (known for The Next Step and Tiny Pretty Things).

Brennan opens up about his journey from childhood training to the rigorous demands of Juilliard. He shares valuable insights into the dance community, the importance of strong technique, and the mindset required to succeed in a competitive art form.

We also dive into:

-Navigating the Juilliard program and its impact on his career.

-The realities of professional dance life vs. acting.

-A sneak peek at his exciting upcoming projects and what's next!

 

Follow Brennan @brennanclost

Andy Colonico: Going Country, Going Viral, and Finding His Sound

This week we sat down with Andy Colonico, a powerhouse vocalist, dynamic performer, and one of Ontario’s fastest-rising country-rock artists. From fronting Revive the Rose to breaking through in the country scene, Andy walks us through the evolution of his sound, the leap into a new genre, and the momentum that’s fueling his rapid rise.

It’s an energetic, honest, and wide-ranging conversation with an artist who’s carving out his own lane—blending rock grit with country storytelling and building a loyal fan base along the way.

Follow Andy @andycolonico

🎶 Music by @distant.matter
📲 Follow us on Instagram:
@thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau
Listen now! 🎧