The Pal‘s Podcast

🎙️ Ricky and Dani are back for another Pals Only episode, and there’s A LOT to catch up on.

Ricky kicks things off after seeing Zach Bryan back-to-back nights in Toronto, and the two break down both shows, the experience, and whether seeing the same artist two nights in a row is actually worth it.

Then things get controversial as Ricky and Dani attempt to define what actually makes someone an A-list, B-list or C-list celebrity. They run through some huge names and debate where each one belongs. Let’s just say they definitely don’t agree on all of them.

Dani gives an update on surviving another tax season, while Ricky recaps a wild few weeks travelling through Vietnam and Bali, including representing Team Canada at the Pickleball World Cup, exploring Bali, and somehow balancing work, travel and everything in between.

They also wrap up Ricky’s latest season with Toronto United, reflecting on another run to the CNPL Finals, the highs and lows of the season, and what comes next.

Zach Bryan. Celebrity rankings. Tax season. Vietnam. Bali. Pickleball. Just a classic Pals catch-up.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, Ricky and Dani are back with a very special guest: DJ, producer, and all-around great guy, Frank Walker. If you can appreciate a good beat and love some light-hearted entertainment, this episode is definitely for you.

Frank shares his history with the Canadian electronic music scene and reflects on what the local scene was like for him when he was starting out at university. They cover everything from childhood memories to the evolution of local nightlife icons like Cobra and Beta. Then, they dive deep into the realities of his music career today. Frank opens up about how he got his start, the chaotic dynamic of touring across the globe, and why he believes a deep connection with the music is the ultimate key to a song's success. He also breaks down his unique creative process during writing sessions, explaining why finding the right wavelength with vocalists and songwriters is so crucial.

They also get into the realities of life today, from Frank's busy life managing wedding planning with his fiance Chanel to his thoughts on modern internet influencer culture, TikTok algorithms, and the grueling nature of going on tour. Plus, Frank reflects on the music that inspired him, his thoughts on the future of EDM, and his absolute favorite cinematic masterpieces like Lord of the Rings.

 

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

 

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

 

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network. Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

 

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, Ricky and Dani are back with a very special guest: comedian, storyteller, and Kenny vs. Spenny co-creator, Kenny Hotz. If you can take a joke and love some light-hearted entertainment, this episode is definitely for you.

The conversation starts with a trip down memory lane as Kenny shares his unique connection to Toronto history and reflects on what the city was like for him growing up. They cover everything from childhood staple spots like Murray's and Licks to the evolution of local icons like the ROM and the Science Center.

Then, they dive deep into the legacy of Kenny vs. Spenny. Kenny opens up about how the reality sitcom first got pitched, the chaotic dynamic of trying to pull off wild stunts on national television, and why he believes the show's brutal honesty resonated so strongly with audiences. He also breaks down his unique relationship with Spenny both on and off camera, explaining why destroying his friend's life was the ultimate key to the show's success.

They also get into the realities of life today, from Kenny's transition to farm life and homeschooling his kids to his thoughts on modern internet influencer culture, TikTok challenges, and the grueling nature of going on tour. Plus, Kenny reflects on his biggest life regrets, his time living broke in LA, and his absolute favorite cinematic masterpieces.

 

 

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

📲 Follow us on Instagram

@thepalspodcast | @yourpalrick | @danigalarneau

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

 

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, Ricky and Dani are back for their monthly catch-up, debating everything from the creator economy and wedding etiquette to the chaos of living in Toronto.

The conversation starts with a debate over influencers vs. content creators. Is there actually a difference anymore? Ricky and Dani break down how social media has evolved, why traditional celebrities are becoming creators themselves, and whether the term "influencer" even means what it used to.

Then things get heated over wedding season. Do you actually have to attend every wedding you're invited to? How much is too much to spend on someone else's wedding? Should your partner automatically get a plus one? And is it completely acceptable to say no when attending means spending thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, gifts, and everything else?

They also get into the realities of living in Toronto, from traffic and streetcars to bike lanes and one-way streets, before catching up on upcoming travel, what's ahead this fall, and some exciting changes happening behind the scenes at The Pals.

Plus, the episode wraps with a new round of Would You Rather.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, we sit down with Toronto-born content creator Saif Shawaf, who has built an audience of more than 20 million followers across social media.

Saif shares the unlikely story of going from working in tech sales and getting fired from his 9-5 to eventually turning content creation into a full-time career and building one of the largest social media audiences to come out of Canada.

He opens up about the strategy behind growing to 20 million followers, pivoting from family content to viral street interviews, dealing with audience fatigue, and why treating content like a real job has been one of the biggest factors behind his longevity.

The conversation also dives into the business behind being a creator, landing major brand partnerships, giving away more than $50,000 through his videos, moving from Toronto to Miami, and why he believes creators constantly need to evolve if they want to survive.

Plus, Saif talks about what's next, his plans to build an agency and help other creators, becoming a licensed private pilot, and what life could look like when he eventually decides to step away from being in front of the camera.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Follow Saif Shawaf:
Instagram: @saifshawaf

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, we sit down with Unsighted, the creator behind the viral "white girl dance" videos and transit karaoke clips that have brought millions of people together online.

Unsighted shares how a single comment sparked one of the internet's most recognizable content series, why his goal has always been to spread joy through unexpected public interactions, and what it's really like creating content in front of strangers.

The conversation dives into the realities of life as a creator, dealing with burnout, staying authentic while constantly being "on," and why treating every fan interaction with respect matters more than most people realize.

We also talk about his background in film production, his vision of building something much bigger than social media, and the importance of taking your shot when opportunities present themselves.

Whether you're a content creator, an aspiring filmmaker, or someone chasing a dream, this episode is full of honest conversations about creativity, risk, and building a career doing what you love.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Follow Unsighted:

Instagram: @unsightedpoet

Presented by Narcity Canada.

Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, we sit down with Jada Bui, one of Canada's top professional pickleball players, Team Canada athlete, and a member of the Toronto United Pickleball Club.

Jada shares her incredible journey from playing Division 1 tennis at UC Berkeley to unexpectedly becoming one of Canada's rising stars in professional pickleball. She opens up about the injury that changed the course of her career, why she initially doubted pickleball, and how she went from trying the sport for fun to competing in the Canadian National Pickleball League just one month later.

The conversation also dives into the rapid growth of pickleball, what it's really like competing professionally, living and training in Florida, representing Team Canada in Vietnam, and why the sport needs more personalities to continue its rise.

Whether you're a pickleball fan, a tennis player, or simply love hearing stories about athletes who bet on themselves, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Follow Jada:
Instagram: @jadabui

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal’s Podcast, it’s just Ricky and Dani for an honest catch-up episode covering everything from dating and friendships to movies, birthdays, and getting older.

The two share stories from recent movie screenings, including a frustrating experience trying to get into a Netflix premiere, review The Dink and Netflix’s Obsession, and talk about why Tom Holland and Zendaya continue to dominate Hollywood.

The conversation then shifts into dating in your 30s, whether career and work-life balance should matter in a relationship, the reality of dating apps, and why meeting people organically still feels unmatched.

Ricky and Dani also have one of their most honest conversations yet about their friendship, confidence, social anxiety, protecting your energy, and how relationships evolve as you get older. Plus, they debate birthday plans, festivals, traveling alone, and whether celebrating with a big group is always worth it.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.
Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎙️ This week on The Pal's Podcast, we sit down with Shep Rose, longtime Southern Charm star, author, and outdoor adventurer, during his visit to Toronto.

Shep opens up about his transformative ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, the wake-up call that pushed him to make a change, and how those experiences inspired his new book, Nothing in Moderation. He shares what it was really like spending 12 seasons on reality television, how producers shape the stories viewers see, and why hearing from fans who found comfort in the show means more than most people realize.

The conversation also dives into the pressure of constantly chasing success, learning to appreciate the journey instead of the destination, his love for surfing, fly fishing, and hunting, and what's next.

Plus, we wrap things up with a fun lightning round covering everything from his favorite drink and dream movie casting to the one former castmate he misses the most.

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Follow Shep Rose:
Instagram: @relationshep

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full-length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

🎧 Listen now!

🎙️ This week on The Pal’s Podcast, we sit down with Chris to explore his incredible journey from construction sites and corporate law to the fitness industry and entrepreneurship. Chris opens up about what it was like discovering later in life that he had severe, undiagnosed ADHD, how it shaped his career and relationships, and how he ultimately learned to turn it into one of his greatest strengths.

We dive into his unconventional career path, including child acting, working in construction and factories, becoming a successful lawyer, and the personal tragedy that led him to leave corporate law in search of something more meaningful.

We talk entrepreneurship, resilience, fitness, fatherhood, and much more. 💪

🎶 Music by @distant.matter

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

Follow Chris:
Instagram: @the_cuddlycanadian

 

Presented by Narcity Canada. Part of the Narcity Shows Network.

Subscribe for new full length episodes.

Business Inquiries: thepalspodcast@narcity.com

 

🎧 Listen now and get to know the story behind Chris' remarkable journey from lawyer to fitness entrepreneur, and the mindset that helped him build a life of purpose.