The Pal‘s Podcast

Nottoria Band Story: Origins, Creative Process & Upcoming Album Plans

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

Join Nottoria as they share their band story, from Dom and Joe meeting at a music store to recruiting Ella after a standout live performance. The band dives into their creative process, collaboration, and chemistry that fuels their music. They also talk about live shows, upcoming festival performances, and their album release plans, giving fans an inside look at their journey. Whether you’re curious about Nottoria’s songwriting, band formation, or music philosophy, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.

Inside Team Canada with Emma Maltais: Olympics, PWHL & The Future of Hockey

🎙️ 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
@thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

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Podcast Growth, Creative Vision, and Life Updates

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.

Finance Bro Turned DJ: VYTØ on Music, Mentorship & Toronto Takeover

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/
Follow the Pals:
https://www.instagram.com/thepalspodcast/
https://www.instagram.com/yourpalrick/
https://www.instagram.com/danigalarneau/

Ernesto Gaita on Authenticity, Dating in your 30's & Why Creators Are Leaving Canada

🎙️ New Episode Alert!
This week we sit down with our longtime friend Ernesto Gaita for a conversation that goes way back. Having spent nearly 15 years in the nightlife and creator world together, we dive into how our journeys started, the evolution of podcasting, and why consistency matters more than chasing quick views.
We talk about building authentic brands online, why being yourself is the only strategy that actually works, and the shift Ernesto made from dating content to sharing more of his real lifestyle.
The conversation also gets real about dating in your 30s, refusing to settle for the wrong relationship, and what it means to wait for someone who truly aligns with your life and values.
We also get into bigger conversations around living in Canada, why more creators are looking toward cities like Miami, and the mindset required to prioritize personal growth and mental health before anything else.
It’s honest, thoughtful, and one of those conversations that feels like catching up with an old friend.
🎶 Music by @distant.matter
📲 Follow us on Instagram

@thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau
Listen now! 🎧

How the Out of Shape Olympics Went Viral | Simona Stallone

Follow Simona:
https://www.instagram.com/theotherstallone/

This week on the Pal's Podcast, co-hosts Dani Galarneau and Ricky Liorti sit down with Simona Stallone, the creator behind the viral Out of Shape Olympics on Instagram and TikTok.

Simona breaks down how the Out of Shape Olympics started, what it actually takes to film the chaos, the production process behind the scenes, and the real financial side of running a viral social media series. From organizing events to managing budgets and scaling the brand, she shares the unfiltered reality of turning a fun idea into a full-blown internet phenomenon.

We also talk about how the content evolved, what surprised her most about the growth, and the pressure that comes with going viral.

And for the first time in Pal's Podcast history, a guest brings something special to the studio. Simona shares a surprise prize possession that holds serious meaning... you have to stay til the end. 

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! 🎧