Sleepless

Today host Remy sits down with Kash, a Toronto-based creative, ballroom legend, and accidental empire builder. In this episode, he talks about how a single birthday party turned into a thriving queer nightlife brand, complete with illegal dispensary sponsors, sold-out frat house raves, and a 4/20 voguing ball. Kash opens up about his unsuspected rise to prominence, creating spaces for Black and PO...

In this episode we welcome Steven Popik, a former animation production coordinator who worked on beloved shows like Fairly OddParents and Animaniacs. Steven shares his incredible journey of breaking into the industry as a high school student, the surprising production timeline for a single episode of animation, and the intense, specialized reality of bringing cartoons to life. After a decade in an...

What if the secret to 300 podcast episodes is treating every interview like a first date? The sleepless boys sit down with Sammy Younan to share why doing the homework matters, how a bar studio led to guests spilling set secrets over wine, and why being a "nerd" just means loving something enough to learn everything about it. We also get into why developing actual taste matters more than ever, and...

Exciting Update: In our ongoing mission to celebrate local artists, we will occasionally be bringing in guests to host the show. Today's episode will be hosted by Remy(https://www.instagram.com/remy_lethbridge), who we've had on as a guest, and is a pillar of the local community, and we're thrilled to let her lead this discussion today. Today on Sleepless guest-host Remy sits down with Eunice Yeun...

This week on Sleepless, we sit down with Jasmine Coleman, a journalist and podcast producer, to pull back the curtain on the creative process behind the mic. From her start in an English lit degree to discovering her passion for audio storytelling during a pandemic-era podcasting class, Jasmine shares how she found her creative voice. She takes us inside her world of end-to-end production, reveali...

Writer/director Paul Aihoshi shares his journey from making DIY home videos and hand-drawn animations to co-creating the hit fringe play David Lynch's Seinfeld. He talks about the harsh realities of indie filmmaking—getting funding, facing festival rejection, and the networking hustle—while discussing his current project, a feature screenplay called The Sushi Family. Ayoshi also gives a peek behin...

In this episode of The Sleepless Podcast, the hosts sit down with Niall and Dain—creators of two very different but equally passionate shows: F*ck Buddies, a sex-positive, inclusive advice podcast, and No Quest for the Wicked, an improvised sci-fi actual-play series using the Starfinder system. They discuss how F*ck Buddies began as a counter to toxic pickup-artist culture, their evolution from re...

Comedian and podcaster Ben Stager joins Tom and Robin to discuss his creative process. He talks about Ben's song about the glorious city(cities) of Kitchener-Waterloo that got him on Canada's Got Talent, his podcast "The Canadian Entertainment Podcast", and his life as a celiac stand-up comic. The conversation ranges from hometown pride and favorite local spots to pop culture tangents about Pokémo...

In this episode of Sleepless , we sit down with Cylla. A multidisciplinary creative, DJ, and founder of Care Package. We explore his path through Toronto’s music scene. and we discus the rise of Care Package, the struggle to break into DJing, and how he built his own opportunities through community-driven events. Cylla shares his musical influences, dream gigs, and hopes for transforming Care Pack...

In this episode, Simone Denny shares her journey from Toronto talent shows to international dance music stardom. She discusses the making of "You're a Superstar," the realities of the music industry, and the importance of staying true to yourself. The conversation is filled with insights on creativity, resilience, and the power of music to inspire. So sit back, enjoy this in depth interview with a...

It's the season finale of SLEEPLESS! The boys are taking a much-needed break but will be back in November for Season 3! But for now, we have one more special episode, and for this season finale, hosts Robin and Tom sit down with special guest Cody Crain (CBS's Ghosts) to dive deep into the creative process. Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of bringing ideas to life, sharing perso...

In this episode of Sleepless, hosts Robin and Tom welcome their special guest Elaine Empalmado, a multi-talented musician, content creator, and former hospitality professional. Elaine shares her inspiring journey from working in the service industry to embracing sobriety and building a thriving career as a full-time content creator. She opens up about her struggles with addiction, the challenges o...

Join hosts Robin and Tom as they welcome the multi-talented drag artist Hillary Yas for a candid, funny, and insightful conversation about the creative process, the evolution of drag, and the importance of chosen family. From theater school stories to the realities of performing, improv, and podcasting, this episode dives deep into identity, community, and the power of self-expression, with plenty...

In this episode of the Sleepless Podcast, Robin and Tom are joined by special guest Alexa Steele. Alexa is known for her roles in 'Degrassi' and the 'Jan' sitcom, as well as her own podcast 'Steele My Story'. Alexa shares insights about her acting career, the creative process, and the challenges of the industry. They discuss the significance of staying true to oneself in auditions, the ups and dow...

In this episode, we sit down with Erika, the first Canadian winner of Survivor, to unpack her journey from a decade in PR to reality TV stardom—and the pivotal moment she quit her stable job, betting on herself no matter the outcome. And as always, stay sleepless. Follow Erika: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod Or book her to speak at...

Robin and Tom chat with Michael Mongiardi and Marianna Miniotis from the Sonar Podcast Network, diving into how they built an award-winning podcast empire from scratch. They share the origin story of going from a small indie collective to producing hits like StanLand (starring Bobby Moynihan, Rhea Seehorn and Jon Hamm ), and discuss the highs and lows of creative work. Along the way, they cover ne...

In this raw and unfiltered episode, legendary producer and engineer Scotty Hard takes us through his journey from Vancouver’s underground scene to the heart of New York hip-hop’s golden era. He shares wild studio stories—like the time RZA dropped $30K at Guitar Center in one trip—and reflects on how hip-hop has changed since its early days. From the chaotic sessions behind Wu-Tang Forever to his t...

Join the conversation in our FIRST livestreamed episode, recorded LIVE at official Sleepless Studios Open House. Listen to a great chat with the hosts of the Back n Body Hurts Podcast as we explore hard techno’s rise, Afro house’s global takeover, and the eternal struggle: Should you record the set or live in the moment? Plus, hot takes spun fresh from our Hot Take Wheel—because why not? Whether y...

Dive into this episode of Sleepless, the podcast about the creative process, as we chat with rising DJ Tsenami about her rapid journey in the music scene—from lugging her DJ around Toronto to playing iconic venues like Toronto Yacht Week. We explore her shift into darker house/techno, the grind of self-promotion, and the power of social media for emerging artists. Listen now—and stay sleepless. Fo...

In this episode of Sleepless, Thomas and Robin welcome GRRLCRRSH, a Toronto-based DJ and event producer who founded Que'd Up—a thriving queer collective uplifting underrepresented voices in dance music. From pandemic-born passion to fostering a vibrant scene, Grrlcrrsh shares how Que'd Up evolved into a hub for collaboration, workshops, and open decks. They dive into the challenges of balancing cr...

At 76, Stephen Stohn has done it all—legendary entertainment lawyer, longtime Degrassi  executive producer, and now, recording artist. In this episode, we sit down with Stohn to discuss his unexpected journey into music with GTA Rhythm Section, his inspirations from Brian Wilson, and the dream that led to his nine-minute track Opus 42 — Ode to Summer . He also shares behind-the-scenes stories...

The Sleepless Pod, Episode 21 - Toronto House Community Episode 21 of The Sleepless Pod shines a spotlight on the Toronto House Community! Robin and Tom chat with Saul and Costa, the duo behind this thriving collective connecting Toronto’s house music lovers. From Electric Island epiphanies to hosting packed events like “Community Thursdays” at The Libertine, their story is all about passion, pers...

🎧 Sleepless Pod - Episode 20: Lost Lands & Big Plans This week on the Sleepless Pod, Robin and Tom are joined by Remy Lethbridge, a Toronto-based EDM content creator and rising DJ! Remy spills all about her whirlwind summer of festivals, from dancing in the rain at Ottawa’s Escapade to the insane visuals of Lost Lands in Ohio. Want to know what it’s like to navigate the booming bass music sce...

Episode 19 : No-comply, we’re thrilled to be joined by Toronto’s own Travis Coburn—an illustrator, designer, occasional DJ, and passionate skateboarder. Travis takes us through his fascinating journey as a creative, from over two decades in illustration to his latest venture into the world of film design and the launch of his own scrappy design firm. We dive deep into the highs and lows of his car...

The Kazakh Ballad: In this episode of the Sleepless Studios podcast, we're back from our summer travels with stories to tell and exciting updates to share! We dive into a recent Bass Coast music festival, highlighting the incredible care and attention to detail that made it unforgettable. Plus, we reflect on our latest adventures, from music festivals to weddings in California and family trips...