Harmonious Gentlemen

Modern life promised us ultimate freedom: instant doorstep deliveries, endless streaming feeds, and frictionless comfort without leaving home. But what did we trade away to get it? In this episode, we dive into the death of “third places”, from local pubs to community halls, and examine how classic sci-fi literature predicted our hyper-connected, deeply isolated reality. Grounded in real-world sta...

In this episode of the Harmonious Gentlemen , we sit on the porch, shuffle the possibilities, and start brainstorming a custom deck of playing cards designed around the lore, running jokes, and history of our podcast. What starts as a fun concept quickly turns into a broader conversation about the creative process itself. Beyond suits and card art, we dive into the vulnerability required to put or...

In this episode, we share our thoughts on the upcoming Alberta referendum. Is this a golden opportunity for modern democracy or an expensive investment in divisive politics? We aren't experts, but we hope to shed some light on the questions we'll all be asked to answer in a few weeks, and demystify the context in which the questions are being asked. Despite some strong feelings, we keep it relativ...

Kick off the new season of Harmonious Gentlemen with a deep, candid, and hilarious dive into our complicated relationships with food, drink, dining out, and the wild world of the service industry. In this season premiere, we’re joined by special guest Rieley, owner of the iconic Alberta restaurants Cilantro and Chive (Lacombe & Red Deer). Together, we pull back the curtain on what really goes into...

Join the gents at Phil’s as they discuss the intricacies of childhood over eggs, bacon, and shredded hashbrowns. They exchange stories, discuss the reliability of memory, and a few philosophical questions as well. How would you define childhood? When does it end? Can we ever get it back? Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the Gentlemen attempt to reflect, reset, and reharmonize. It’s a casual conversation, meandering between the professional, personal, and podcast aspects of life - but in the comfy taproom of Blindman, they stumble dangerously close to wisdom. Is the world changing in a way that makes it harder to be harmonious? After years of doing this, does anyone even know what harmonious means...

In this special summertime episode, the gents talk about travelling from different locations on the globe. What are your thoughts on travel? Is it something we should all do? How do we travel harmoniously? Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

What makes someone worth following? This time, the Harmonious Gentlemen wrestle with the messy reality of leadership. Why do some leaders inspire while others divide? Is leadership earned or simply claimed? Do titles matter, or are the best leaders the people no one notices? From history to everyday life, the conversation challenges what we think we know about influence, power, and responsibility;...

In this episode, the gents are joined by Elliot, the funniest teenager in Canada. They talk about the art and sport of improv, and how it makes us into better human beings. It’s a great conversation about openness, vulnerability, and saying yes. Stick around until the end when Elliot coaches Tyler, Chris, and Graham through their first improv drill. It goes about as well as you’d expect it to. Ell...

When did you first realize you were getting older? Was it the gray hairs, the sore back, the changing priorities—or simply the realization that time keeps moving whether we’re ready or not? In this episode, the Harmonious Gentlemen take a break from Alberta politics to reflect on the experience of aging and ask some big questions along the way. Why do many people report becoming happier as they gr...

In this episode the gents were lucky enough to sit down with Dr. Jared Wesley, political scientist, commentator, and author of numerous posts on the Substack aptly titled, Decoding Politics. They talk about the need for getting back to the basics of democracy and three rules for helping us all make sense of what’s going on politically. Then, Jared shares about his work with a project called, “Comm...

In this episode, the Gents are joined by Nate Pike - a paramedic, political commentator, and the creator of "The Breakdown," a popular independent media platform focused on Alberta politics and holding government officials accountable. They discuss his experiences in this field, and the recent proposed changes to Alberta’s electoral boundaries and this impact on our democratic rights. They also ta...

Dogs are known as "man's best friend", but do we know why? It turns out dogs and humans have been evolving together for thousands of years, and it looks like we're in it together for the long haul. The gents dive into various theories of domestication, chemical explanations for bonding, and the ethical challenges of owning a "fur-baby". What does it say about humans that we chose companionship wit...

This episode was originally recorded and released in September, 2022. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Join the gents in their conversation about morality and ethics. First, they try to define the terms and question where these things come from. Then, they dive into different scenarios challenging their sense of loyalty, honesty, and justice. Thanks to Blindman Brewing, Cilantro and Chive, the King’s University, and Birdy Coffee Co. for sponsoring this episode. Thanks to Phil’s restaurant for the b...

In this episode, the gents are joined by Jon Davies - Clinical Counsellor at Social Shift Therapy and Wellness. They explore pressing topics such as mental health, masculinity, relationships, emotions and feeling, resilience, and influences on boys and men. In addition to providing perspectives on these issues, they explore practical tools for supporting adolescent boys and what it means to be a h...

In this episode, the Gents are joined by Mark and Witty Sandle. Dr. Mark Sandle is a professor of History at the King’s University in Edmonton, and Witty works as a Spiritual Director. They discuss the challenge and importance of navigating difference in our lives and relationships. Some look forward, while others look back, for hope and inspiration. What can we do to foster long-lasting, fruitful...

Dr. Jeffrey Dudiak is Professor of Philosophy at The King’s University in Edmonton, one of Tyler’s favourite teachers of all time, and a great podcast guest. In this episode, the second in what they’re calling, “the King’s Series”, the gents explore the definitions, challenges, and applications of truth and wisdom in today’s world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Part One of the King’s Series with Jonathan Nicolai-deKoning. In this episode, the gents sit down with Jonathan to talk about justice, mercy, humility, and his role as Program Director for the Micah Centre at the King’s University in Edmonton. Explore Justice and Development through King’s Micah Centre Through internships, special lectures, experiential learning, relationship building, and more, t...

Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 study linking the MMR vaccine to autism sparked one of the most influential—and damaging—public health controversies of our time. In this episode of Harmonious Gentlemen , we unpack how flawed science, media amplification, and misplaced skepticism helped popularize vaccine hesitancy. This is a conversation about evidence, accountability, and why responsible science communic...

‘Twas a cozy night in Lacombe, and the Gents and their families reflected on the year that was while looking ahead to the year that will be. In this short, but special, episode you’ll hear a few additional voices with unique perspectives on what’s truly important. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgen...

Why is doing the right thing together so hard? In this episode, we’re joined by Ross Smillie, who brings wisdom and clarity to a conversation about collective action—its promise, its pitfalls, and its unintended consequences. We dig into the Tragedy of the Commons, real-world examples of shared responsibility breaking down, and what this means for everything from environmental issues to social cha...

This episode is a bit different. Recently, the Gents were asked by their friends at Red Hart Brewing to host their famously-fun quiz night. This sounds like a lot of fun, and it was, but it’s difficult as well. With the pressure mounting, the Gents got together to go through their trivia questions in preparation for the great event. They don’t discuss much, and aren’t challenged to be harmonious,...

As miscellanea means, in the usual sense, “a miscellaneous collection of different things”, a single miscellaneum is logically impossible because variety and diversity (in their usual senses) are attributes of groups of things, not of individual things; for example, a populace can be varied and diverse, but a person cannot be various or diverse. Nevertheless, this is an episode about a miscellaneo...

To put it simply, we’ve been going through some stuff lately, and hope, whatever it is, has been difficult to find. Where does hope come from? What happens when it runs out? How can we turn things around? Can hope exist without a little bit of despair? Want to win a prize pack? Become a subscriber to our Substack and fill out this short (2 minutes) form about hope. It’s the one Chris sent to Tyler...