Solo Spotlight with Ryan MacDougall

Join us for a powerful conversation with Tea Fannie, one of Alberta’s most unique and compelling hip-hop voices. From growing up across Canada as a military kid, to discovering poetry, to finally stepping into the spotlight as a rapper and songwriter, Tea breaks down the real story behind her creative evolution. We dive into the making of her debut full-length album “It’s All Love”, how she found...

In Solo Spotlight Episode 72, Ryan sits down with Edmonton storyteller and creator Lincoln Ho — the mind behind @yegventures For more than a decade, Lincoln has been documenting Edmonton’s history, culture, food scene, architecture, and hidden corners. This episode dives into how he built YEG Ventures, why he documents the world the way he does, and the ethics and discipline behind being a trusted...

In Episode 71 of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Adven Villa, creator of the Long-Term Podcast, psychology student, street-interview storyteller, and rising Edmonton creative. This episode dives deep into: Growing up in chaos & building discipline from scratch How podcasting became a tool for self-improvement Imposter syndrome & interviewing older, more experienced guests What street i...

In this episode of Solo Spotlight, Ryan sits down with Edmonton hip-hop veteran Arlo Maverick — a storyteller, mentor, and cultural architect whose 25-year journey mirrors the evolution of Canadian hip-hop itself. From his early days founding Politic Live to his solo albums Maybe Tomorrow, Soul Merchant, and Blue Collar, Arlo has spent decades building community through music and mentorship. As th...

A year after running for Edmonton city council, Jesse Watson returns to Solo Spotlight to talk about life after the campaign. He shares what the experience taught him — the scrutiny, the pressure, and how it changed the way he looks at politics and people. Ryan and Jesse get into accountability, trust, and the reality of putting yourself out there in a public way. If you care about leadership, com...

In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with fellow host Joey Stoneburgh—the creator and voice behind Prime Joe Time, the newest series under the Spare Bedroom Studios network. Joey’s journey has been defined by resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of something real. After more than a decade working in corrections, he’s now using his platform to spotlight the kinds of stories that rarely get...

Before You Vote: Andrew Knack on Edmonton’s Future In this episode of Solo Spotlight , Ryan MacDougall sits down with mayoral candidate Andrew Knack to talk about what’s at stake in Edmonton’s upcoming election — from affordability and housing to safety, transit, and local leadership. Recorded in Edmonton, this unfiltered conversation offers real context and clarity for voters who want to make an...

If half your commute is just escaping your own neighborhood, this one’s for you. Jon Morgan (Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi — ih-PEE-koo-kah-nih-bee-OW-tsee) spent 18 years inside ETS (bus → dispatch → LRT control). We get brutally practical about reliable routes, LRT station safety, Southwest choke points (41 Ave, Ellerslie, Heritage Valley), and infill that doesn’t pretend parking and transit don’t...

In this episode, Ryan MacDougall sits down with Troy Pavlek — software developer, civic watchdog, theatre reviewer, and co-host of Speaking Municipally — to unpack Edmonton’s 2025 municipal election and the bigger picture of what’s happening inside City Hall. Troy shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how local politics really work Connect with our guest: Twitter / X: @troypavlek Personal sit...

From the tatami to the coaching floor, Greg Cooper shares the systems that beat motivation, his 24-hour reset when discipline slips, what he’s building at Kodokwai Judo Club , and practical steps for men’s mental health—plus three non-negotiables and the red flags he wants you to avoid. Topics: judo origins; discipline vs motivation; coaching systems; Kodokwai; MenTELL; mental-health tools; habits...

Local government isn’t sexy, but it’s where your life actually changes. Colin Reid walks through what he’s hearing at the door (roads, response times, cell coverage), how he prioritizes “two right answers,” and what a councillor really does (liaison, set priorities & funding; admin executes). We also cover signage rules, social media as a civic feedback loop, and why he’s in for the long game....

Uncle Hack @DangerCats69 pulls up to Solo Spotlight and we get into the whole arc—oil patch shifts → sketch grind → “Rules of the Patch” blowing up → sobriety reset → first open mic → building Danger Cats → and the infamous 3-venue fail-safe for canceled shows. If you’re chasing stage time (or just love good chaos), this one’s for you. Guest: Uncle Hack — Comedian, Danger Cats 🎟 Tickets/Merch: dan...