1st and Now

With less than two weeks to go until the Kamloops heat, Matt and Nik bring you a jam-packed episode of 1st and Now. We bring in special teams coordinator Cory McDiarmid for a stroll down memory lane from his first stint and a breakdown of the Lions’ important pieces on teams. The fellas also discuss their favourite game themes coming up this season and get ready for next Tuesday’s CFL and Global D...

Matt and Nik are back and getting giddy with inside 30 days remaining until our first training camp practices in Kamloops. With the coaching staff trickling into the office, the fellas speak with offensive line coach Paul Charbonneau, running backs coach Kristian Matte and receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kevin Bourgoin. The boys also take a closer look at the offence and bring you our reg...

Matt and Nik are joined by a couple of off-season additions to the 2025 BC Lions roster. First, linebacker Micah Awe joins the show to talk about returning to the Lions, approaching 100 CFL games, playing at Texas Tech, and the different aspects of the state of Texas. Next, defensive back Deontai Williams discusses why he signed with BC, his father Roosevelt’s NFL and CFL playing days, and how Coa...

The Madness is just beginning! Matt and Nik preview this week’s CFL Combine and look ahead to some of the key training camp battles on the horizon. General manager Ryan Rigmaiden joins the show to talk about some of the things the squad is looking for in the Draft along with his expectations for training camp in Kamloops. 0:00 - Intro 8:11 - Rob Ralph promoted to assistant general manager 11:43 -...

What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. The boys are back and Bakes is playing hurt after a few days of fun in Sin City. He and Nik bring you all the latest stories from Lions land, including an overall look at free agency and intriguing camp battles with TSN's Farhan Lalji. Our Go For It Or Punt and They Not Like Us segments go heavy on the 4 Nations Faceoff! 0:00 - intro 4:05 - Kristian Mat...

The boys are back to recap a busy first couple of days on the free agent front for your BC Lions. Bob "The Moj" Marjanovich stops by to talk about the new additions, the new coaching staff and what training camp battles he is excited about. The fellas also recap an eventful Super Bowl week where MOJ and Nik had boots on the ground in New Orleans, a city that Bakes is also quite familiar with. This...

The offseason has kicked into high gear as free agency is just around the corner. Lions' analyst Giulio Caravatta joins Matt and Nik to break down the key re-signings so far and what the squad might look to address when the market opens. Giulio also gives a solid account of the current state of Canadian quarterbacks. The fellas also discuss their favourite parts of the 2025 schedule and branch out...

Bo Lokombo joins Matt and Nik on the heels of his retirement from football to recap some of his fondest memories as a Lion, both on and off the field. The linebacker leaves a lasting legacy as both a player and someone who gave back to his community, most recently as a proud ambassador for World Vision Canada.

In the 2025 season premiere of 1st and Now, Matt & Nik have plenty to talk about! From key player transactions to the coaching staff being assembled by Buck Pierce, the season prep. is in full force. The boys also talk with linebacker Josh Woods on both his injury recovery and the tragic fire situation in Los Angeles. To close it out, it’s an NFL-themed version of both ‘Go For It Or Punt’ or ‘They...

Matt and Nik bring you the final episode of 2024 which happens to come on the same day 2023 Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts signed for two more years. The boys break that and a few other transactions down, talk about their favourite Christmas gifts of all time and have some fun with our 'Go For It Or Punt' and 'They Not Like Us' segments! Happy Holidays to all of our great listener...

It's been a big week for the BC Lions as Buck Pierce was officially sworn in as the team's 28th head coach. Buck joins this week's episode to reflect on arriving in Canada nearly 20 years ago, his greatest Lion memories, rising through the coaching ranks in Winnipeg and he also answers questions from fans in our latest mailbag. Matt and Nik also give their thoughts on the hire and branch out in ou...

Matt and Nik break down the Lions' big week of moves while saluting Rick Campbell's job one day after he left the organization. The boys also recap an exciting and fulfilling Grey Cup week for Vancouver and discuss the Argonauts' victory with Ben Grant from XsandArgos, TSN 1050 and Three Down Nation.

Matt and Nik return with some post-mortem as the Lions fell short once again in their quest for a seventh Grey Cup. The fellas look back at key moments in the loss to Saskatchewan and look ahead to this weekend's division finals plus set the stage for what will still be a fun week of festivities as Vancouver gets set to host the 111th Grey Cup.

It’s s jam-packed edition of the podcast as Matt and Nik preview all of the key storylines for Saturday’s Western Semi-Final in Saskatchewan. Hear from Lions analyst Giulio Caravatta, head coach Rick Campbell, defensive back Garry Peters plus a discussion with CJME Regina’s Jamie Nye. November in the CFL has arrived! 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Week 20 vs Montreal, regular season recap 5:21 - Rick Campbel...

Matt and Nik bring you the final regular season podcast of 2024 before the playoff fun begins in two weeks! The fellas break down the quarterback change and keys to entering the playoffs on a high and also speak with Alexander Hollins on the vibe following last week's loss in Regina. Plus, Vernon Adams Jr, Nathan Rourke and Rick Campbell make post-practice appearances.

Matt and Nik are extra fired up after a victory and ready to go into hostile territory as the Lions prepare for a big tilt with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday. You will hear from head coach Rick Campbell and defensive lineman Mathieu Betts on the keys to victory and the fellas also preview three other games across week 19 in the CFL. The fun wraps up with our always-entertaining 'Go For...

Matt and Nik tee up Friday's big battle against the Stampeders and what to expect in some key areas as we prepare for another eventful Gravy Bowl. The fellas also discuss the two transactions this week and how the impact the active roster on Friday. Hear from Rick Campbell and Nathan Rourke on the keys to victory along with some spicy takes in 'Go For It Or Punt.'

Matt and Nik are back after a bye week to preview the four-game stretch drive with TSN's Glen Suitor. 'Suits' breaks down what he likes about this Lions squad, the decision to go with Nathan Rourke and the differences between a Hamilton team that has found some juice since the last time we faced them.

The fellas catch up with Lions' all-time passing leader and 2000 Grey Cup champion Damon Allen ahead of Legends Night when the squad gets inducted to our Wall of Fame. Allen shares great stories and a few nuggets on how that team pulled together to win it all. Matt and Nik also recap the big win in Montreal and break down the keys to sinking the Boatmen this Friday. 0:00 - Intro 1:21 - Week 14 at...

An episode so jam-packed, no guest was required! Matt and Nik recap an unforgettable Touchdown Pacific including their favourite off-field moments and a dominant win over Ottawa. It’s Montreal week and the fellas zone in on some key storylines against the Alouettes. With one-third of the season to go, they also go over some highs and lows of 2024 thus far while taking a look at some Lions award ca...

It's a big week in Lions land as the squad is set to embark on Victoria and our Touchdown Pacific rematch with Ottawa. Matt and Nik recap Saturday's loss to the Redblacks and bring in offensive lineman Sukh Chungh for a fun interview on football, food and much more. The boys wrap it up by previewing OK Tire Labour Day Weekend in the CFL and with the always popular 'go for it or punt' segment.

Matt and Nik are back in a jampacked week to recap Nathan Rourke's return and another tough loss to the Blue Bombers. Now it's all about a special home-and-home series with the Ottawa REDBLACKS with round one Saturday in the nation's capital. REDBLACKS radio voice A.J. Jakubec stops by for a preview of the game and a look at the tenth anniversary of football's return to Ottawa which will be celebr...

It’s buzzin’ inside Lion headquarters this week as Matt and Nik talk about Nathan Rourke’s return, Sunday’s pivotal showdown with Winnipeg, and around week 11 of the CFL with some juicy matchups in store. The boys also welcome Lions Radio Punjabi broadcaster Harp Pandher to talk about the news of the week and his path to broadcasting Punjabi games for football and hockey.

In this special episode of 1st & Now, Matt Baker & Nik Kowalski welcome BC Lions' linebacker Bo Lokombo, Senior VP of Business George Chayka, ex-CFLer & co-host of The Waggle, Henoc Muamba and Kyla Findlay from World Vision following a life-changing trip to East Africa. From visits to schools and youth centres, to playing ball in one of the largest refugee camp in the world, the crew talks about t...

Matt & Nik are back after a long weekend of fun and adventure for each guy. Now it's all about football once again as the fellas recap what went wrong in Winnipeg and discuss the keys for a bounce back in Edmonton this Sunday. Assistant defensive backs coach Tanya Henderson talks about the Elks challenge, Lions defence and promotes next week's women's flag football clinic in Surrey. 0:00 - Intro,...