The Rocky Talky Podcast

This is just me and a microphone…. Trying to be honest. Trying to get better. It’s been a hell of a year so far. I needed to get what’s in me off of my chest and out of my mouth. Maybe together, we can find a window and let some light in. Much love, Rocky #interview #spotifypodcast #applepodcast #cancer #loss #grief #mentalhealth #spirituality #talk

Work Hard. Stay humble. A saying thrown around so much, it has become a bumper sticker, rather than a mantra. But, there are people that do it for real….Chef John Forcier is one of them. Birthed out of one of Canadas greatest restaurants (CANOE), John came to Hamilton, and helped build some of the coolest and most relevant hospitality entities in Ontario. If you’ve tasted anything at The French, A...

It took two years for Vanessa Heins and I to make this interview happen. There was a global pandemic, a cross-province change of address, loss, healing, work, and LIFE. Many times I wanted to leave her alone and stop pursuing the interview, but Vanessa always kept the door open and promised that when the time was right, she’d reach out. And she did… Her photographic work is everywhere; capturing s...

Anna Di Carlo is a good human. The more time I spend with her, the more I am convinced of this. I have seen her in action with DAY OF CREATIVE (her event planning outfit specializing in creative design & social engagement), and she is GOOD at what she does. If you wanna throw a soirée and look slick doing it…call Anna. I loved working with her, and I hope to do so on the regular. Perhaps my favour...

This interview was planned almost two years ago, but on my way to Toronto to chat with Max Meighen of Serviette Magazine, my engine blew, and I was forced to cancel. Not a great first impression… Thankfully, he said yes to a “re-do”, allowing me to sneak one last, and long overdue interview before the year rolled over. We connected at his impressive AVLING BREWERY & KITCHEN on Queen St E; a space...

LTtheMonk is a musical BIG BANG. Kinda like a street party, where all the factions find common ground and have a really good time. His sound is familiar, yet “new” in the best way, and it is a welcome shift from the current hip-hop/rap norms. LT is hyper intelligent, owns a healthy ego AND a humility that draws you in the second he starts to speak….somehow, he makes these two traits find a nice ti...

I was born in the 70’s, grew up in the 80’s, and cut my teeth as a musician in the 90’s. I experienced the Grunge/Alt-Rock movement first hand, and it CHANGED me. It was a paradigm shift, a sea change, and it shaped the writer/player that I am today. I am forever grateful. Seattle was the hotbed, but my heroes lived elsewhere, like Chicago (The Smashing Pumpkins) , U.K. (too many to mention), and...

When you meet Brooke Henshall, you almost immediately wanna join her club. That’s the truth…. She owns a tangible, gentle stillness that is calming, all the while making you feel seen…even in a busy coffee shop (she’s a barista at Sunday Blooms in Guelph). Brooke is a special kind of special, and it is obvious she is GOING somewhere. I really wanna stick around and see where it all goes…because I...

I’ve only known L.A. West since late spring of this year. However, I know her enough to say this: Meeting her was like a flash-bang. An immediate connection, giving way to a very fast friendship. Out of the gate we agreed on so much, and we could disagree on things as easily as the easy stuff. She is a creative gypsy, an old soul, and uniquely holds an aura of vintage charm and mystery. She is a F...

Camila Montefusco is a Mezzo-Soprano. An opera singer. A rare breed with the ability to throw their voice, and fill a space like a weather system. She herself, is a musical instrument… When we first met for our interview, I was immediately taken aback by her poise and confidence. So much so, that I found it unnerving. Somehow, I felt exposed being near someone with that kind of silent and still st...

Joel Malkin does not like to talk about himself…he seems to squirm at the notion. A self-effacing gentleman, that is also really, really talented. A kind of conundrum for a guy trying to fly under the praise radar. I came across his graphic design & illustration work via Instagram, and I immediately wanted to hire him. For now however, I’ll have to settle for an interview with the man himself. His...

When Michael Byers hung out at my cafe, he was always alone. Solitary. Peaceful. Hemmed in by coffee, a sketch book, and a pen….he was the consummate artist at work. I got to know him, and was regularly struck by his ability to turn those blank pages into something lived in, and alive. He is a lovely artist, and he has a style uniquely his own. I’d recognize it anywhere. Michael’s story is a good...

There is deep and abiding empathy beating within Jacklyn Barber. The lens in which she views and experiences the world, is a gift that can capture the “moments” among the endless minutes of a day. Jacklyn is a photographer, but it’s more than that. She’s a collector. A curator of images that are alive; making you feel as though you’re looking at a memory….that’s how I feel anyway. Take a gander at...

The Ugly Fun. A perfect band name. As clever and catchy as the music itself. Jeremy MacFarlane is the architect of this project, and he understands acutely how to shape a melody that’ll make you stop and listen. I did. He is a maker and multi-dimensional creative, and his artistic footprint seems to know no bounds, as music is only one of the many pursuits he busies himself with. Jeremys work turn...

Grief. Loss. Death. Heartbreak. Words and emotions that I dread, and go to great lengths to protect myself from. Yet, despite all of my efforts, I cannot outrun this inheritance of the human condition. All of us get scathed…but some, it seems, have been given a double portion. Annie Horton has experienced a cascading of loss these recent years, and her story of grief seems surreal and too much for...

In the fall of 2022, Canada was historically included in The MICHELIN Guide, which is to many, the final word on the best restaurants on the planet. If awarded a much-lauded MICHELIN star, an establishment will join a very small, and very elite group of hospitality heavy weights. Chef Rob Rossi (Osteria Giulia/Giulietta) knows of this intimately, as he and his team were recently awarded a prestigi...

What do you get when you mix a full time firefighter, a gifted guitarist, and a vibrant visual artist? You get Stewart Milne… The guy proving that we can all do more than ONE thing really well, and most importantly…that our interests are worth pursuing. If the creative in you is wanting “more” and begging to come out…this episode is for you. Enjoy. #spotifypodcast #applepodcast #interview #artist...

Aaron Hopman is chill. He is a father, a husband, an exceptional artist, and the proud owner of Polarity Tattoo Studio. My plan for this interview was to chat with him about tattoo culture, but our time together turned into an honest talk about life, philosophy, lessons learned, and being a good human. You’ll pick up real quick, like I did, that when Aaron says something…he means it. Kinda like hi...

“The Laundry Design Works is a multidisciplinary design and concept studio that creates strategies for brands, products, and spaces.” This is putting it modestly… What they really are is a magic machine. A Wonka factory that takes an existing “thing” and transforms it into something extraordinary. If the customer was a shoe, then the Laundry would be the NIKE swoosh. They’re work is unmistakable,...

Natalie Sexton has a seriously impressive resume in television and social media (CHCH/CTV/The Marilyn Denis Show/ Hamilton Tiger-Cats). She is everywhere, and she is very good at what she does. At first glance, her sphere and brand is poised and playful. Fashion-forward and full of colour. But, it’s when you talk with Natalie…that things start to pull into focus. There is a deep strength in her an...

I met Kevin while tending bar at Dark Horse Espresso in Toronto over ten years ago. He became a regular. I became a fan of his band, Broken Social Scene. He is a beautiful soul, and a generous heart. He was the first person I asked to come on when I started the podcast, and I knew it was a serious long shot. Yet, he replied, “I’m in…let’s do it”. After 3 sold out nights in Hamilton, Kev hailed an...

I am NOT a film critic…but I love film, and have been known to be mildly opinionated… Same as my guest, Andreana Zerafa. Dre and I team up to pour over 2022’s Best Picture nominees and share our thoughts, criticisms, and praises for the films on offer at this years Academy Awards. This is a fun chat with an old friend, and we are very pleased to offer the “hot take” that no one asked for. Enjoy! #...

Steve Kulakowsky & Core Urban Inc. helped set the stage and create space for Hamiltons historic wave of entrepreneurs, pioneers, and new locals. He and his team reclaimed and re-purposed many of the city’s forgotten buildings; turning little ghost towns into the hot spots and destinations we’ve come to know. He’s a local boy. A hometown believer. A world builder….literally. His efforts are on disp...

In 2016, Chef Matty Cowan set a new kind of table in Hamilton, Ontario with his restaurant, The Heather. A small, efficient, yet beautiful space serving only six guests each night. The concept was surprising, the tasting menu was stunning, and the people were eating. His new epicurean space was a tiny world of wonder, and a most excellent addition to the city’s growing food scene. Before I could g...

Cithara Guitars Inc. is a small, yet devout company making masterfully made acoustic & electric guitars in Hamilton, Ontario Beginning in obscurity ten years ago, the company now boasts a roster of world class & well known musicians proudly playing their builds. This makes sense. They make beautiful things… Daniel Clark is the head luthier and founder of Cithara, and he shares with me what it’s ta...