Harmonious Gentlemen

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...

Wiebo Ludwig was a fiercely committed anti-oil and gas activist who moved his family to Trickle Creek in northwestern Alberta to live simply and resist what he saw as the destruction of the land. In the 1990s, his confrontation with the oil industry escalated into a series of controversial events that divided Canadians. Was he a defender of the environment or a dangerous extremist? His story force...

The internet has changed the world in so many ways: Politically, socially, and economically. Our lives are very much “online” these days, and there isn’t really anything we can do about it. The internet is extremely powerful, but is it moving civilization forward in a positive way? Is the technology we use every day getting better, providing a more efficient service, or improving our lives? Does t...

We (Graham and Tyler) got together to chat about the ongoing teacher strike in Alberta. The intent of this episode is to shed light on current events from the perspective of local educators, ourselves included, and to provide some context for our non-teacher listeners. The topic hits close to home for us, and challenges our ability to remain harmonious, but we try. Our desire is to be honest, tran...

This episode is about slowing down, reflecting on the past, and looking to the future. We’re on the edge of a new Harmonious season, and, before we dive in, we feel like we need to figure a few things out. Why are we doing the things we are doing? What’s the point? Are we living up to our own expectations? We talk about the podcast, of course, but extend the conversation to relationships, careers,...

If you could hang out with anyone for one hour, who would you choose? Is there anyone you would refuse to spend one hour with? What's the most harmonious response to these questions? Thanks to our sponsors: Blindman Brewing ( blindmanbrewing.com ), Cilantro and Chive ( cilantroandchive.ca ), and the King's University in Edmonton ( kingsu.ca ) for being the best. This is a public episode. If you wo...

In this episode, the gents discuss anger. From mild annoyance to volcanic rage, how do we harness the potential of these emotional responses and use them harmoniously. Are we too quick to express our displeasure or do we bottle up our feelings and burn up inside? Is anger something we should avoid or embrace? Let us know what you think about this episode. How angry did it make you? What can we do...

In this episode, the gents discuss Schadenfreude - feeling pleasure as a result of others’ misfortune. They talk about the Coldplay Kiss Cam Incident and dive into the the societal forces that create such a phenomenon. Is it ethical? Is it moral? Is it harmonious to feel joy when others suffer? Oh yeah, Peter is on this episode too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Every good podcast needs to have a pig episode. Francis the pesky porker caught the attention of Central Albertans when he escaped his intended fate and remained a fugitive for nearly five months. Learn more about this pig, and much more on this unique episode with the gents. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit h...